HEARTBREAKING NEWS
Aillidh Christine Kinnaird died of complications from treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia at around 11.30pm on 7 July 2012. She was surrounded by family and friends and most of all, love. Aillidh was battling a respiratory virus and had been on a ventilator last week. She also underwent kidney dialysis at Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow.
Her mother and father, Leigh and Andrew, of Sandbank, Argyll and Bute, had said they hoped a procedure she was to undergo would "purge her of the fluid in her lungs and save her life".
However, yesterday the family announced on their "search for a donor" Facebook page that Aillidh had passed away as a result of respiratory failure.
In April, Aillidh had undergone groundbreaking stem-cell surgery at Yorkhill.
The hunt for a bone marrow donor was launched after Aillidh was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. When no match was found, medics opted to fight the illness with blood from a newborn's umbilical cord.
Aillidh was just one of two patients to undergo stem-cell treatment in Scotland last year.
We are all so so sad to read that Aillidh passed away. Our sympathy and condolences go out to the whole family. She fought so bravely to the end and we at the ACLT will always continue to say her name and tell her story of fighting against Leukaemia in order to inspire others to give someone else a chance.
(Reprinted courtesy of the Herald Scotland)
LATEST UPDATE
BRAVE Sandbank schoolgirl Aillidh Kinnaird is set to undergo tests for a possible transplant which could save her life.
Her mum Leigh announced last night that TWO cord blood matches have been found for her leukaemia-stricken daughter.
And she added that the specimens - while not perfect - may just be enough to rid eight-year-old Aillidh of the cruel disease.
Leigh - who has maintained a constant vigil with Aillidh at Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital - broke the news on Facebook last night.
Posting on Aillidh's official page, Leigh wrote: "Okay, all, I have BIG news here to share.
"Two cord blood matches, less than perfect but enough, have been found for Aillidh.
"Next week, the next step in this long, scary journey will begin, as Aillidh will start testing for the transplant process."
Little Aillidh was diagnosed with the cruel disease after antibiotics failed to clear up a cellulitis infection in one of her legs.
And - apart from one brief visit home in between bouts of gruelling chemotherapy - Aillidh has been confined to a ward in Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital.
Her story received national media attention after it was first broken by CowalCourier.com in January when her dad Andrew, 34, turned to us to publicise her plight in the hope that donors would come forward.
Now there appears to be genuine hope that she can defeat the Acute Myeloid form of the disease that she has been struck down with.
But there is now concern over Aillidh's state of mind about the news - which comes after a long search for a suitable donor - with her admitting to be "scared".
Leigh, 40, said: The risks, of course, are very great, but her risk of relapse without it greater, so we must try.
"Aillidh herself admitted to being a bit scared, and will see the psychologist.
"Our fears are very great as well, and much of the time, I am alone entirely with these demons, in the dark of night when she finally goes to sleep.
"This is where your support, prayers, thoughts and help have been so, so very valuable to all of us, and I will continue to update everyone with her progress.
"For now, we cherish our girl as she is well, with the bittersweetness and heartbreak that is the true scourge of cancer.
(Reprinted courtesy of CowalCourier.com)
ORIGINAL APPEAL
This page has been set up to raise awareness of Aillidh Christine Kinnaird's search for a matching bone marrow/stem cell donor.
Aillidh (pronounced Ay-lee) is eight years old and has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, which affects only 20% of all those diagnosed with childhood leukaemia.
She is mixed race, half Mexican(Latino) and half Scottish.
She's been in hospital in Glasgow since before Christmas and, at the time of this page being set up (13/01/12), she is partway through her second lot of gruelling chemotherapy.
Aillidh urgently needs a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. Please try and help by registering NOW.
(In assocation with the Anthony Nolan and the National Blood Service)
‘Spit & Commit' Be the ONE to make a difference today!
ACLT calling out to step forward and make a difference now. Register with the
Quick & Easy Saliva Test!
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M A MATCH? PLEASE CLICK HERE
TO READ ABOUT THE 2 DONATION PROCEDURES
Please call ACLT office to book a 30 minute appointment. Tel no. 020 8240 4480
NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE & BLOOD DONATION CENTRES Tel 0300 123 2323
If you are unable to attend any of the ACLT drives and you are willing and able to donate a unit of blood for transfusion purposes, you could also join the British Bone Marrow Registry by becoming a Blood and Bone Marrow donor. You must be aged between 18 and 49 to join their bone marrow register and 17-65 to donate blood. You can join at the same time as your first blood donation by advising the staff, who will take an extra small sample of blood to be tested and your bone marrow tissue type will be added on the British Bone Marrow Register
Anthony Nolan Register Tel no. 0303 303 0303
If you are unable to attend any of the ACLT drives or the NBS blood donation centres you can attend one of the Anthony Nolan bone marrow registration drives. You must be aged between 18 and 40 and generally healthy.
Thank You
Orin Lewis
