'Waiting game' for Easter Ross blood cancer lass (3) as donor found; Stem cell donor for Alness lass found in United States
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THE mother of an Easter Ross toddler battling a rare form of blood cancer told this week of the "mind-blowing" moment she learned a stem cell donor had been found – on the other side of the world.
The plight of three-year-old Adeline Davidson has already touched hearts around the world and inspired hundreds of people to sign up to a register offering a potential lifeline to sufferers.
The little Alness lass, marked out by a sunny smile that belies the many setbacks and hurdles she has already had to overcome, now faces a gruelling round of chemotherapy ahead of the potentially life-changing procedure.
It has emerged that her donor – assessed as a 9/10 match – is female and lives in the United States.
Under existing regulations, Adeline's parents Stephanie and Jordan won't be able to find out any more about the woman who could change their daughter's life for at least two years after the transplant.
Mrs Davidson said news of the match, which came via the Anthony Nolan register she has personally encouraged many people to sign up to, was relayed to her by a consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow. She said: "My mind was going crazy.
"All we know is that she is an American – we know nothing more than that. You hear stories about people meeting their donors. The most mind-blowing thing for me is that this person who we don't know will pass on some of her DNA to Adeline.
"It's good news but it does bring new anxieties. Our focus now is keeping Adeline away from bugs and infections. She needs to be healthy."
All being well, Adeline will be prepared for the transplant – which can help restore the body's ability to make blood cells – next month and undergo the procedure in March.
There was another surprise for the bubbly little girl this week too when she was invited aboard the Maersk Resilient oil rig, one of the giant landmarks dotting Invergordon's shoreline.
Crew members seeking a good cause for money they wished to donate to a worthy local cause had asked around on shore and been pointed in the Davidson's direction.
As well as the invitation for a tour of the rig – capable of drilling to a depth of 30,000ft and sleeping 120 people – Adeline was given a £1000 donation on behalf of crew members.
The delighted youngster, who may be the youngest ever guest to have boarded the rig, relished the jaunt in the company of her mum and granny Lorraine, whose has also championed her cause on a number of fronts.
Stephanie Davidson said: "It was brilliant, we got to see around the whole rig."
When they handed over a £1000 cheque, the family – who face regular long overnight hospital trips to Glasgow – were bowled over. "We were not expecting that much," said Mrs Davidson, who is also mum to nine-month-old twins, Josie and Jude.
She is charting Adeline's journey on the Instagram feed @adelinebluesjourney_x and says messages of support there mean the world to the family.
She said: "The support has been amazing. The messages we have got have been lovely and kept us going. It shows you there are good people out there. A lot of people say I'm calm. It is what it is and you just need to keep a positive mind and be strong for her. Now it's a waiting game."
