'World turned upside down'- Irish girl (10) diagnosed with extremely rare condition

A 10-year-old girl called Emma Healey from Wexford was diagnosed with Idiopathic Aplastic Anaemia (bone marrow failure) on 26th February last.

Emma celebrated her 10th birthday in Crumlin Children’s Hospital where she was told she has an extremely rare condition that only around five people a year are diagnosed with.

A Go Fund Me was set up to help Emma's family fund for medical and travel expanses, as she needs travel to Glasgow for treatment, and nearly €30K has been raised so far.

The Go Fund Me can be found here.

"Emma is now walking a tightrope until she gets to Glasgow, any bumps, bleeding, bruises or infections land her back in hospital. This has happened on numerous occasions in the last few weeks. She is back and forth between WRH and Temple Street for bloods and transfusions weekly," The Go Fund Me said.

According to the Go Fund Me, "Emma and her mother Edwina will have to spend 3 months minimum in Glasgow. Emma will need chemo and radiation before the transplant, then the actual bone marrow transplant followed by her recovery.

"Following this three month stay in Glasgow, Emma then faces a prolonged period of time up to one year where she will be extremely medically complex requiring multiple different medications and prompt treatment of infections."

Emma has been described as a "bubbly, extremely kind girl who always has a big smile on her face."

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She has not been able to attend school or any activities since February and will not be able to do so until 6 months after the transplant.

Emma’s mam Edwina is now her full time carer and is unable to work. This will continue for as long as Emma needs full-time care. The repeated trips to Dublin and unexpected stays are financially taxing on the family i.e. hotel stays and travelling expenses.

"This is a family that has had their world turned upside down, a perfectly healthy child suddenly becoming so ill, her big brother suddenly facing the trauma of being her bone marrow donor and the worry faced by her parents watching both of them going through this horrible ordeal," The Go Fund Me said.