I'd like to introduce you to Rayna. She is a two-and-a-half-year-old girl from Bonnyville. Rayna has a five-year-old brother named Kayden and a four-month-old sister named Amelia. Last year, at the age of one and a half, Rayna was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder called Aplastic Anemia, in which insufficient stem cells are produced.
The cause is often unknown and the probability of being diagnosed with it is roughly three in 1 million. Stem cells (red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells) are produced in the bone marrow and distributed throughout the body. Red blood cells carry a protein called hemaglobin, which transports oxygen to the cells. Platelets help our blood clot. White blood cells fight infection and look after our body's immune system.
Rayna's bone marrow simply cannot make enough stem cells to live! Over this past year, her family has made over 35 trips to Edmonton for her increased medical demands. Treatment management includes over 50 blood transfusions, four bone marrow biopsies, various medications, and scheduled follow-ups with specialists. In February, Rayna's family was told that her Aplastic Anemia had progressed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). What this means is the declining stem cells being produced are now not working properly.
Sadly, Rayna's in dire need of a bone marrow stem cell transplant to treat this condition. Her older brother was tested and is not a match. Her younger sister is much too young to consider. Unfortunately, Rayna will need the life-saving donation of a healthy, unrelated donor or cord blood. When a suitable match is found, the transplant will take place in Calgary, at the Alberta Children's Hospital.
There are several ways you can help: (1) Donate money to the family to help with their increasing financial demands (Attn: Ellen Pinhorn, in trust of Rayna Pinhorn, c/o TD Canada Trust, Bonnyville AB. Or, email money transfers to [email protected]). (2) Add your name to the unrelated bone marrow donor registry (Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE or visit their website at www.blood.cahttp://www.onematch.ca). (3) Spread the word of the need for bone marrow stem cell donors (“like” and “share” Rayna's Battle with MDS” on Facebook). (4) Donate blood (contact Canadian Blood Services). (5) Praying goes a long way to support the family. May God watch over this child and her family throughout their trial.
UPDATE: When Rayna's family went to Calgary for their first bone marrow transplant consult, three potential mismatched live donors (with six out of eight antigens) popped up in the registry. When pursued further, all 3 were withdrawn for the list. Donor registrants can be withdrawn for many reasons, such as death, illness, and even a change of mind to donate.
Sincerely,
Corita Vachon
Bonnyville
