Aubrey’s fight against Severe Aplastic Anemia

(I’m writing this on behalf of my family)

Last year my beautiful niece, Aubrey was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia.  It’s a rare, but serious and life threatening blood disorder.  The bone marrow stops working and stops producing platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells, putting her at risk for life-threatening infections, anemia and bleeding.  In North America and Europe about 2 out of 1 million people are diagnosed each year.

Aubrey’s story:

Last summer, Aubrey became pale, easily fatigued, and it kept getting worse.   My sister and brother-in-law decided to take her into their pediatrician.  They ran a few tests and found her hemoglobin level was at a 2.8 (a normal HL for a child is 11-13). Their doctor hugged them and told them to go straight to the emergency room.

They were immediately admitted to ICU and stayed for 4 days.  Durning their stay, Aubrey had 6 blood and 1 platelet transfusion.   They found that Aubrey’s bone marrow wasn’t making the 3 components of the blood that it normally makes.  They were discharged from the hospital and a week later Aubrey was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia.

For the past few months Aubrey’s undergone immune suppression therapy, but unfortunately without positive results.  She’s been in and out of the hospital and it’s been tough.  One parent stays durning the day and the other will stay the night.  It’s been hard on everyone, especially her big brother, Breck.  He makes her cards telling her he’s sorry she’s sick and can’t wait for her to come home.

Recently, our hearts were shattered when the bone marrow team informed our family that the donor for Aubrey fell through, due to lack of flexibility.  My brother-in-law is Aubrey’s half match and the two of them have started the process.  Nick had his harvest on June 6th and froze his bone marrow.  Aubrey  is currently conditioning and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.  She will have her bone marrow transplant on June 14th.  Nick is so proud and honored to be his daughters donor and to give her a second chance at life.

At six years old, she has truly inspired us all with her strength and courage.  Aubrey continues to tell everyone including her nurses and doctors, “don’t worry, I can do it, I’m brave!”

This has been extremely hard on my family.  Your kind donations will help cover medical bills, sterilize their home, (this is so important, because Aubrey will have a very weak and new immune system.  We don’t
 want to risk any type of infection) and any other expenses they may encounter with this heartbreaking and unexpected journey.

They have a long road ahead, but we’re all here to support them.  We continue to count the days until Aubrey can come home.  Our family slogan is now, “take it one day, one minute, and one second at a time.”  Please help my family by donating and sharing their story.

*Any additional funds will be donated to the Aplastic Anemia Foundation*

Sincerely,

Sarah Wood (Aubrey’s Auntie)