Derry girl (11) with rare Aplastic Aneamia awaits bone marrow transplant
A young Greysteel girl, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of a serious blood disorder, is to travel to Manchester in mid-January for a bone marrow transplant, after her previous procedure was cancelled when she contracted an infection.
Eleven year old Phoebe Loughrey had only recently started secondary school in St Mary’s in Limavady when it became clear she was gravely ill.
She first began to experience bruising on her legs, followed by more in ‘strange places’ in her body, including around her neck after trying on her new school shirts.
Phoebe, who is a huge fan of Disney and Minnie Mouse, was initially diagnosed with Leukemia and transferred to hospital in Belfast.
There, doctors there told her mother, Katherine that they, instead, suspected Aplastic Anemia.
The rare blood disorder is caused by the failure of the bone marrow to produce enough of all three figures of blood cells – red, white and platelets.
Without these cells, people’s ability to function diminishes significantly.
They may bleed excessively, bruise, attract life-threatening infections and suffer from extreme fatigue.
Katherine outlined how there are ‘different types’ and severities of Aplastic Anemia and ‘unfortunately, Phoebe has the worst type.’
This means that treatments such as immunosuppressants won’t work and a bone marrow donor has to be the best match possible.
Phoebe was placed on the bone marrow transplant list and in November, she and her family received the ‘amazing’ news that a donor – a 12 out of 12 match – had been found via the Anthony Nolan database.
The procedure was scheduled for December 15, but, heartbreakingly, it had to be postponed as Phoebe became too ill with a Flu A infection, which led to her spending a week in Belfast Children’s Hospital.
Phoebe, who is receiving weekly blood and platelet transfusions, remains critically ill and sadly, her original donor is now not available until February.
Unfortunately, Phoebe cannot wait that long. However, her dedicated transplant team has identified a new donor and a new date of January 12.
Phoebe and her family will travel to Manchester for that transplant, where they will spend three months.
Katherine outlined: “Phoebe has a grueling three months ahead of her, with considerable risk to her life.”
She will undergo extensive conditioning and chemotherapy to ‘start the process,’ which will be followed by the transplant.
"They have warned us about the many side effects of all the medication she will take and a grown adult couldn’t be expected to deal with it let alone an 11 year old girl.”
Through all of this, the local community, friends and family has been supporting Phoebe in many ways, including by donating to a Go Fund me page, which Katherine regularly updates.
"The hope and courage that page has given Phoebe has been amazing. Not only to her but for her siblings too, who are also on this hellish journey. I thank everyone so, so much.
“The money raised to cover accommodation costs, whilst we are in Manchester, from our community is mind blowing, reaching £5000. Paddy (Phoebe’s daddy), obviously can’t work whilst we’re away and only has limited paid leave, so this money is a true godsend. From all the prayers, good intentions and support we’ve received, It makes us feel extremely proud to be a part of a community that pulls together through tough times.”
If you’d like to donate, see the Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/phoebe-meet-minnie-her-lifelong-friend