Addalyn Clements’ life has been reduced to two defining factors – the rare and hideous disease preying on her life and the possibility of a donor who could save her.
During the past 18 months, the five-year-old has been diagnosed with two rare cancers.
The sad reality is if she doesn’t receive a bone marrow transplant within the next six months she will most certainly die.
“We don’t have years with Addy . . . in fact we don’t even have a year without this transplant,” Addalyn’s mother Rachael Clements said.
“That’s just how fast this disease is transforming.”
But with no suitable matches in Addalyn’s family, the search has spread to the Maitland community to help find a donor for the little girl.
“None of us are a match so we have to extend the search to include people outside the family,” Ms Clements, 31, of Tenambit, said.
“It will come back to us if this search becomes too long because Addy doesn’t have a lot of time. But there is someone out there who could be a match for Addy and that person could save her life.”
Addalyn was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 2013 after presenting with a persistent cough.
“We all thought it was asthma, but she went down hill,” Ms Clements said.
A chest X-ray revealed Addalyn’s left lung had collapsed and the cavity was full of fluid.
“I was thinking pleurisy or pneumonia, but about three days later Addy was in surgery and here was this tumour taking up most of her chest, spreading behind her heart and pushing on her trachea,” Ms Clements said.
“At one stage we nearly lost her and that’s when it all started.”
After enduring 10 months of chemotherapy Addalyn’s medical team decided to test her bone marrow.
“The initial results were fine, but a few weeks later chromosomal changes became evident, indicating something else was going on,” Ms Clements said.
Addalyn has since been diagnosed with Fanconi’s anaemia – an extremely rare disease resulting in decreased production of all types of blood cells.
“This disease significantly increases the risk of developing other solid tumours in the lungs and brain and Addy’s only option now is a bone marrow transplant,” Ms Clements said.
“Anyone can register to do this and, even if you aren’t a match for Addy, please go ahead and do it anyway because there are so many children out there who need this.
“This is so hard because Addy doesn’t really look sick at all but, as it stands, she doesn’t have a lot of time left.
“Addy is the most fun, amazing and precious little girl, so if you’re healthy enough to do this then please give it ago.”
Friends of the Clements’ family have also established a Facebook page to help raise money for Addalyn.
For more information visit Unicorns for Addy on Facebook.
