Four-year-old Myla was rushed to the Emergency Department with unusual bruises. She was diagnosed with a rare condition affecting her blood cells – a condition her parents had never heard of. Myla and her mum share their journey. They talk about how your donations change the lives of children like Myla forever.
One morning in December 2017, Myla Hutcher woke up with unusual bruises on her body. Her concerned mum, Danielle, rushed her to the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s.
Doctors were shocked to find that the platelet count and red blood cells in Myla’s blood were low, while the white blood cells were non-existent.
Danielle said: “I remember feeling so confused. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
Sheffield Children’s carried out a biopsy, which found that Myla’s bone marrow was completely empty. She was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called aplastic anaemia.
The condition is serious and occurs when the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells. The unexpected bruising can be a symptom of the disease.
Myla, who is now 11 years old, said: “I was very poorly and my only chance of getting better was a bone marrow transplant. The doctors and nurses at the hospital were amazing and eventually made me better. They, and my donor, are the only reason I’m here today telling you my story.”
While the search for a bone marrow match began, the family visited the Haematology & Oncology Ward at Sheffield Children’s twice a week for blood and platelet transfusions.
After three months of waiting, Myla’s donor was finally found in February 2018. Thankfully, the bone marrow transplant was successful.
“Myla always says ‘my donor saved my life with his special blood’ and that’s exactly what he did.” – Danielle, Myla’s mum.
Myla stayed on the Haematology & Oncology Ward for five weeks in isolation as she recovered. One year on, Myla started school and was able to mix with other children.
She has now recovered and reflecting on her time at Sheffield Children’s, she said: “I have nothing but happy memories from my time living at the hospital.”
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, and people like you, raised an incredible £2.75 million to transform the Haematology & Oncology Ward, helping to make time in hospital a little bit easier for children like Myla.
Myla was one of the first people to see it before it fully opened in 2022. It has almost doubled in size and there are now more spaces for a parent or carer to stay more comfortably alongside their child. This means that many children, such as those with cancer, leukaemia, or blood disorders, can spend days and weeks on the ward with their family at their bedside throughout.
Myla said: “What an incredible transformation the new wards have made. It has made families’ lives easier. Thank you for all your donations and support.”
Everything we fund is over and above NHS provision. Our hospital is a testament to the dedication of staff, the generosity of our donors, and the courage of our children. We’ll never stop striving to make it better.
Help us to provide specialist equipment, vital research, and new facilities for our patients and their families at Sheffield Children’s by fundraising. Visit Get involved to find out how.
