Olivia's Stem Cell Transplant

Meet Olivia, the bravest little warrior. Olivia is nearly 2 1/2 years old and needs a stem cell transplant due to an extremely rare syndrome (SIFD). There are currently only around 20 diagnosed cases worldwide.

Olivia was born 3 months premature and spent the first 11 months of life in hospital. She had countless operations and procedures, while doctors searched for answers to her vast complications and illness. Olivia is immuno surpressant which means her body does not create it's own immune system, meaning we have to give her a weekly infusions to allow her some form of protection from viruses and general ilnesses. She also needs blood transfusions every 3 to 4 weeks as her bone marrow is not producing white and red blood cells properly. She is fed through a tube into her stomach and also has a central line to her main arteries for medicines and blood. Along with a huge list of other medication. Since we got olivia home she has been in and out of hospital almost weekly.

Specialists and genetisists from across the country have come together and decided that Olivia needs to have a stem cell transplant as her current treatment plan is not sustainable long term. Newcastle children's hospital aim to start treatment mid April this year.

Olivia will need chemotherapy before the transplant and the risk at recovery stage is very high.

Because of the risk and high dependency during the process, one parent will need to be isolated with olivia, initially in hospital for 4 to 6 months and then close by to hospital for another 4 to 6 months.

This brings huge challanges for us as a family of 5, as the treatment and recovery means that Olivia will need to be in Newcastle for 8 to 12 months.

We are asking anyone fortuate enough to be able to help with expenses relating to her treatment for the next year. Including accommodation, travel, specialist equipment and specialst clothing. Both for pre transplant surgeries and post transplant treatment.

Despite olivia's journey, she remains such a happy and cheeky little girl and this treatment could be life changing for us all.

Thank you to anyone who can help and feel free to share our story, it means the world ❤️