In loving memory of Joanna Dawn Wilding

15/03/1985-12/12/2012

This year, we are planning on taking part in the Windsor walk to raise money for a charity close to all our hearts Aplastic Anaemia Trust. Hannah and Kylie will also be going to Snowdon in June to walk Mount Snowdon.

Aplastic Anaemia is a potentially life threatening form of bone marrow failure which can strike at any age but is particularly severe in children. It is as common as some types of leukaemia and just as devastating, but very few people have heard of it.

Aplastic Anaemia is a disease in which the bone marrow, and the blood stem cells that reside there, are damaged. This causes a deficiency of all three blood cell types: red blood cells (anaemia), white blood cells (leukopenia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia). There are three levels of severity in this condition; non-severe, severe and very severe. Non-severe patients have low blood counts, and may require red blood cell transfusions, but not necessarily platelet transfusions.

However for severe and very severe patients, blood transfusions for both platelet and red blood cells are needed regularly, and an ATG treatment is considered, although this is not a cure - patients are 'in remission' whereby the condition can arise again at a later stage. Furthermore, a bone marrow transplant can be carried out. This is the only chance of a cure. Siblings will be tested for a match first as they have a higher success rate and the risks involved with an unrelated donor are higher than that of a sibling match.  

 Our beautiful Jo, was diagnosed with very severe Aplastic Anaemia, and had to endure many transfusions and hospital appointments. She was not able to be around people with any colds or illness as she would be at risk of infection. She also had to have several lengthy stays in hospital, meaning time away from her young daughter and family. Whilst in hospital Jo would have to have blood taken, so much so that her veins in her arms collapsed and they then had to take blood from a hickman line inserted into her chest.

Both Hannah and Chris, Jo's sister and brother were tissue typed, unfortuantely when the results came back it was found neither of them were a bone marrow match. This meant Jo was awaiting ATG treatment. Jo was unable to have the ATG treatment as soon as we would have liked due to complications with raising her blood count and platelets.

Whilst trying to raise both the blood count and platelets, Jo was given Cyclosporin to suppress her immune system in the hope her bone marrow would have a chance to recover, therefore preparing her for the ATG treatment. Unfortunately, during this time Jo fell ill with an infection, leading her to have septicaemia. The supression of her immune system meant that Jo was unable to fight the septicaemia and she sadly passed away with her family at her side.

 Jo continued to smile through these treatments, along with bringing up her amazing young daughter with the help of her family and friends. Jo battled this illness for 3 months, throughout the short time Jo fought, not once did she complain or ask why it was her that had to go through this terrifying and life threatening illness. She always carried on with her bright and beaming smile, telling everyone she was fine - even on days where we could all see she was feeling low.

 Jo was an inspirational woman, who sadly passed away on 12th December 2012 - only a short 3 months after being diagnosed. She has left behind a legacy in her young daughter, and will never be forgotten for the selfless and brave woman she was. We would love to raise as much money as possible to help this cause, raise awareness and fight against this terrible illness. 

We will be walking the Aplastic Anaemia Trust Windsor Great Park 6K together as a team on the 12th May 2013, and on 8th June 2013 Hannah and Kylie will be walking Mount Snowdon. We are asking that you donate as little or as much as possible that you could spare. Anything would be kindly appreciated!!

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and hopefully donate towards this amazing cause.

 

Kylie, Hannah, Stuart, Adele, Patrick, Lorraine, Steve and Kim

xxxx

 

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