Dylan Hume was just eight years old when he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Now, the nine year old from Newtownabbey urgently needs a stem cell transplant – and a donor match who could potentially save his life.
Dylan’s 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. He 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. He also loves video games: one small ‘silver lining’ from his long hospital stays has been playing Xbox with his friends, and his uncle who lives in Australia.
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: “We’re a close family unit and do everything together, this has been a huge blow to our family. Dylan’s older sister, Nicole, is eleven and has just started secondary school. Nicole loves him so much and really misses him when he’s not around – she’s so delighted when she gets to see him”.
Claire continues: “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 on 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.
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 17-55 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 the event at Glengormley Integrated Primary School can request a swab kit online at: www.dkms.org.uk/dylanhume.
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