Adeline Davidson
Great Britain- A Scottish Girl's Fight for Life: Adeline's Journey
- A Troubling Discovery
- A Maze of Tests
- Hope Amidst Uncertainty
- A Mother's Plea
- Searching Globally for a Match
- A Spirited Child
- A Call to Action
A Scottish Girl's Fight for Life: Adeline's Journey
A Mysterious IllnessThree-year-old Adeline, a Scottish girl from Alness, looks like a one-year-old due to a mysterious condition that has left her in need of regular blood transfusions. To keep their daughter alive, Adeline's mother, 25-year-old Steph Davidson, is desperately appealing for people to become blood and stem cell donors.
A Troubling Discovery
After struggling with severe constipation as a baby, Adeline had surgery to correct the issue and seemed to recover well. However, her delayed development worried her parents, and in February 2019, they finally saw a pediatrician. The doctor noticed Adeline's paleness but found nothing else amiss. However, a blood test revealed abnormalities, and hours later, Steph received an urgent call to return to the hospital.
A Maze of Tests
Doctors initially suspected leukemia, but subsequent tests ruled that out. Adeline has undergone chromosome analysis, genetic testing, and numerous other tests, but a definitive diagnosis remains elusive. She suffers from extremely low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts, causing bruising, pinprick bleeding, and persistent tiredness, shortness of breath, and paleness.
Hope Amidst Uncertainty
In March 2019, myelodysplasia, a condition affecting the bone marrow and spinal cord, was suspected. However, Adeline exhibited signs that did not fit this diagnosis. Due to her weakened immune system, she was moved from a children's ward to avoid the risk of infection. Adeline requires constant vigilance as a minor fall could have catastrophic consequences.
A Mother's Plea
Steph decided to share her daughter's story to encourage people to donate blood and become potential stem cell donors. Over 3,000 people have now registered as donors.
Searching Globally for a Match
Adeline's blood test results are now available internationally, including in Canada and Germany, to widen the search for a suitable match. While a bone marrow transplant is her best chance for survival, a perfect match has not yet been found, so blood transfusions are essential for her stability.
A Spirited Child
Through her struggle with this mysterious illness, Adeline remains upbeat, energetic, and playful. "She would have a Hickman line fitted so they could take bloods and give blood transfusions and any medication through there," says Steph. "That was the best news because every time she needed blood, it was taking up to five attempts to get a vein, and it was becoming traumatic."
A Call to Action
"Adeline's veins were so weak and difficult that it was collapsing or moving when the needle was going in," Steph continues. "You would never know there was anything wrong with Adeline. She is mobile, funny, a bundle of fun, and a beautiful little girl. It doesn't hinder her."
"I felt that it would encourage more people to sign up to be blood or stem cell donors if they heard Adeline's story. Anyone with a heart would want to help one hearing what my little girl has gone through."
