'The best Christmas present ever' - stem cell donor found for Whitby's Evie Hodgson

Her mum Tina has announced the amazing news on social media and ITV’s This Morning.

She said two potential donors have been found and one has already been approached who has agreed to donate.

“It’s the best Christmas present we could ever wish for, and Evie,” she said.

“I haven’t got any words to say how happy we are.”

Courageous Evie from Sleights, who goes to Fyling Hall School in Robin Hood’s Bay, is in need of a stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with the rare and devastating blood disease aplastic anaemia earlier this year.

A match was found and the surgery scheduled but just a few weeks before, and with no explanation, the donor pulled out.

A transplant is the eight-year-old's best hope of a cure.

Until then, her body struggles to fight off even the most minor infection and she needs blood transfusions twice a week.

The last few weeks have seen her in and out of hospital battling infections.

Having found a donor who then pulled out, Tina said the family are cautious but are trying to stay positive.

Evie will start chemotherapy next month to prepare her body for the transplant.

Her family are determined to continue their campaign to raise awareness of the need for stem cell donors and encourage people to sign up.

Tina said it is so easy to donate and potentially save a life.

“We don’t want to stop with just Evie,” she said.

“We want to help so many other families out there who are in search of a match donor for a stem cell transplant.”

Click here to find out more about donating and join the register or, for people aged under 30, click here.

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