Scott Anderson looks every inch the proud big brother while holding his little sister in a protective embrace. And the six-year-old's pride is well placed.
For, his beaming little sister, Courtney, is set to undergo an operation, which doctors hope will save her brother's life.
SEE MORE PHOTOS
Scott suffers from the rare disorder Aplastic Anaemia, which means his bone marrow has stopped working and he is susceptible to catching infections that could kill him at any time.
The condition means he is urgently in need of a stem cell transplant
After his entire family underwent tests, Scott's four-year-old sister, Courtney, proved the perfect match.
In just a few weeks time, the pair will go into the Great North Children's Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary to undergo the transplant procedure that will change Scott's life.
His mother Sarah Anderson, 26, of Shieldfield, Newcastle, said: 'Courtney knows she has to go into hospital to save her big brother's life. She would do anything for him
Everything has happened so quickly, I'm still in a state of shock.'
Mrs Anderson and her husband, also called Scott, 28, tied the knot on May 23 this year.
But after returning from a few days away, the couple noticed their son had a lot of bruises on his little body, as well as a rash.
Fearing he could be suffering from meningitis, the couple rushed Scott to the RVI, where tests revealed the Hotspur Primary School pupil had a very low platelet count.
An immediate bone marrow biopsy was then carried out before doctors broke the devastating news to Mrs Anderson and her husband.
They told us he was suffering from severe Aplastic Anaemia,' Mrs Anderson said.
'A rare disorder where the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells.
'Essentially, his bone marrow had stopped working and that he was susceptible to all types of infections.
Infections that could prove fatal, if action was not immediately taken.
The Anderson family all agreed to be tested to see if they would be suitable donors for Scott and results showed Courtney as a match.
'It all hasn't sunk in quite yet,' said Mrs Anderson.
'This is a massive thing for both of them and we have talked to them about it.
'Scott know his little sister is helping to save his life.
The schoolboy and his sister will go into hospital at the beginning of August.
Scott will spend his seventh birthday, on August 10, there, as will Courtney, who turns five on August 13.
Scott will then face between six and eight weeks in isolation to make sure his body accepts the bone marrow and to keep him free from infections.
Mrs Anderson said: 'He's such a loving, energetic little boy who loves playing with his Nintendo figures and having fun in the local park.
'This is such a big thing for both our children but it's wonderful to know they are helping each other.
'It will be a nice thing for them to share when they are older.
'The last few weeks feel like a blur, I haven't even had a chance to think that I've just actually got married
0 comments:
Post a Comment