Brave little Sheffield girl diagnosed with life-threatening 'one in a million' condition needs bone marrow transplant

This brave Sheffield girl is in desparate need of a bone marrow transplant after doctors revealed she has a life-threatening 'one in a million' condition.
Smiley Myla needs a bone marrow transplant after doctors revealed she has a 'one in a million' condition. Dad John and mum Danielle are urging people to sign up to the donation register in an attempt to find a cure for her. Picture: Andy Roe/The StarSmiley Myla needs a bone marrow transplant after doctors revealed she has a 'one in a million' condition. Dad John and mum Danielle are urging people to sign up to the donation register in an attempt to find a cure for her. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
Smiley Myla needs a bone marrow transplant after doctors revealed she has a 'one in a million' condition. Dad John and mum Danielle are urging people to sign up to the donation register in an attempt to find a cure for her. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star

Little Myla Mae Hatcher, aged four, from Woodhouse was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia and the only cure is a transplant.

The four-year-old who loves dancing and gymnastics needs to have two or three blood transfusions a week at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Myla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The StarMyla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
Myla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
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Her heartbroken parents are calling on more people to join the bone marrow register so they can find a cure.

The rare disease stops the regular formation of red and white blood cells. The cells are needed to carry oxygen around the body and to fight infections.

The condition means poor Myla's immune system is weak making her extremely vulnerable to even the most common colds and flu. Her three-month-old brother Rio's bone marrow was tested but sadly, he wasn't a match.

The sprightly little girl, a lover of ballet, is hoping someone can provide the cure.

Myla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The StarMyla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
Myla at home in Woodhouse. Her mum Danielle said the four-year-old was 'full of life'. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
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Her mum Danielle and dad John, noticed bruising on her legs around three weeks ago and after tests at Sheffield Children's Hospital, they were told the bad news.

"We initially thought it was Leukemia, that was the worst fear at the start," mum Danielle, 28, told The Star.

"They did some tests and told us they would be in touch but they called us back the same day asking us to come in.

"It was odd feeling because it wasn't Leukemia which was a relief but that soon changed after we were told it was SAA.

Brave Myla has to have two to three blood transfusions a week at Sheffield Children's Hospital. Picture: Family handoutBrave Myla has to have two to three blood transfusions a week at Sheffield Children's Hospital. Picture: Family handout
Brave Myla has to have two to three blood transfusions a week at Sheffield Children's Hospital. Picture: Family handout
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"Our world literally fell in, it was terrible news but we're determined to keep going so we can get a donor."

Specialist doctors in Sheffield are now now scouring the bone marrow donation register to try and find a match for brave Myla.

They told the couple the disease is even more rare in children and is 'one in a million'.

Dad John and Danielle's own mum have quit their jobs so they can focus on keeping the smiley four-year-old as healthy as she can.

Myla's baby brother Rio was tested to see if he was a donor match but sadly, he wasn't. Picture: Andy Roe/The StarMyla's baby brother Rio was tested to see if he was a donor match but sadly, he wasn't. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
Myla's baby brother Rio was tested to see if he was a donor match but sadly, he wasn't. Picture: Andy Roe/The Star
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Mum Danielle is hoping for some good news come the New Year and is urging people to join the register.

"She's been absolutely brilliant - everyone who meets her falls in love with her. The doctors and nurses have been amazed because she's so energetic and happy and she's just full of life.

"I didn't know much about the whole thing but 90 per cent of bone marrow donations are completely harmless. We're urging as many people to join up to the register, it only needs a swab from the mouth and you're on the list.

"We're hoping to find a match for our little girl. We want her to have the best life possible.

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Posting on Facebook, which has been shared more than 1,500 times, the family said: "We are a heartbroken family who just wants a small chance of saving little girls life."

To join the register, click here.