In a heart-wrenching plea, a family is on a desperate mission to find a bone marrow donor for their one-year-old daughter, Mia. With time running out, the community is rallying to assist in the search.
Mia celebrated her first birthday last week at a local hospital, where she is undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. As reported, her parents, Sarah and Tom, are currently only half-matches for their daughter, complicating the transplant process. Sarah explains, “Many people wonder why they can’t just use our half-matches to create a complete match for Mia, but it’s not that straightforward.”
The couple is navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with caring for a sick child. “We experience good days and bad days,” says Sarah. “Watching Mia suffer is incredibly painful, especially since she is so young and cannot articulate her discomfort.”
Fortunately, the community’s support is growing, with several upcoming bone marrow drives aimed at finding a match for Mia. Here are details of the upcoming events:
- Saturday, April 15 at 123 Main St., Springfield (Community Center) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, April 16 at 456 Elm St., Springfield (Walmart) from 9:00 a.m. until supplies last.
- Monday, April 17 at 789 Oak St., Springfield (Coffee Shop) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sarah emphasizes the importance of attending these drives or registering at join.bethematch.org/fl. “Many families are in need of a bone marrow transplant, and it’s not about who is next; it’s about finding the right match,” she explains. The urgency is palpable as doctors will check the registry for Mia at the end of the month. If no suitable matches are found, the family may have to proceed with Tom as a half-match, which could pose risks for Mia’s recovery.
Mia is scheduled to begin her third round of chemotherapy, which will result in a lengthy hospital stay. By mid-June, a transplant will be necessary regardless of whether a perfect match has been identified. Sarah remains hopeful, stating, “We will keep everyone updated and pray that this motivates people to help save my baby or another child in need.”
As a mother, Sarah strives to remain strong, yet she longs for the simple comfort of home with her daughter. “I want to be with Mia in her crib, where she belongs,” she confesses.
For more information on pregnancy and related topics, please visit NICHHD for a wealth of resources.
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