Family and friends of a Northern Ireland boy in urgent need of a stem cell transplant are urging people to attend an event this weekend aimed at finding a donor match who could potentially save his life.
Dylan Hume was just eight years old when he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. His family were devastated to learn that none of them are a match, and so the search is underway to find an unrelated person who can donate stem cells, and help their little boy.
The nine-year-old from Newtownabbey is now one of approximately 2,000 people in the UK who are waiting for a stem cell transplant.
Before he became ill last year, the bubbly, sporty little boy loved playing football alongside his friends with St Mary’s FC in Glengormley, where his dad Ross is a coach.
As his bone marrow isn't functioning properly and is failing to produce blood cells, Dylan currently needs platelet transfusion nearly every week to keep him alive. He needs a transplant to try and kickstart his body into producing healthy blood again.
Dylan’s mum Claire said: “Unfortunately Dylan's diagnosis of aplastic anaemia is classed as 'very severe' and he has been admitted to hospital numerous times with recurrent infections and need for medical support. Dylan had missed out on enjoying his summer holidays and wasn't able to start back to school in September and enjoy all the things an eight year old should with his friends.
“We are patiently waiting on a bone marrow match for Dylan to allow him to become the fun, happy, energetic and hilarious little boy he was before his diagnosis.”
The family, led by Claire and Ross, are now leading a campaign to encourage more people to sign up as potential stem cell donors, through a quick and easy cheek swab. As part of the appeal, they’ve teamed up with blood cancer charity DKMS to organise a special stem cell donor registration event.
It takes place this Saturday, April 5 from 10am – 3pm at Glengormley Integrated Primary School, 166 Church Road, Glengormley so that members of the public can join the stem cell donor registry. People can join the register by doing a simple cheek swab, to find out if they are a match for Dylan, or one of the thousands of other people who are waiting to find a potentially lifesaving match.
“By joining the stem cell donor register,, not only could you help our beautiful son, but you will be helping so many other young children, teenagers and adults all depending upon these donations to continue living their wonderful lives,” Claire said.
Close family friend Zarrene Hunter, who is helping to organise the donor drive, told Belfast Live: "Dylan is a kid full of fun who loves his sport and games. The way he has coped with and managed this condition has been better than many adults would. He seems to have great resilience and accepts the situation.
"He's a brilliant wee boy who just wants to be well. He loves school and is sad not to be able to go and see his friends or play football. His sister Nicole is an amazing child as well - they're very close and it's difficult for her to see him unwell too."
She added: "We really want people to come along to Saturday's event and show support for the family. We've had great support from the guys at St Mary’s FC have been amazing in helping get the word out and the CDE Group have also generously supplied a hotel voucher for the raffle.
"It's great to see such good responses and those sort of gestures really restore your faith in humanity. The team at Glengormley Fire Station across the road from Dylan's school have said they'll open up on the day for people to have a look around. Even if people feel that they can't become a donor they can still come along and learn a bit more about the charity and be part of it all."
DKMS spokesperson Deborah Hyde added: “By registering as a donor, you could give hope not just to Dylan, but countless others who are relying on the stem cell register for a second chance at life. Signing up is a quick and easy process involving some painless mouth swabs.
“If you are aged 17 to 55 and in general good health, you're eligible to join the register with DKMS. And if you were then matched with someone needing a transplant, in nine out of ten cases donating is a simple, outpatient process similar to donating blood platelets.”
Anyone unable to attend Saturday's event at Glengormley Integrated Primary School can request a swab kit online at: www.dkms.org.uk/dylanhume.
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