THE mum of a six-year-old searching for a life-saving bone marrow match has admitted it’s now a race against time after her son was taken into hospital for a blood transfusion.

Marley Nicholls, from Bettws, Newport, suffers from a rare blood condition called aplastic anaemia which stops the body from producing enough blood cells.

Without a bone marrow transplant, Marley won’t survive.

But despite tens of thousands signing up to the bone marrow and stem cell register since Marley’s diagnosis, and Hollywood support from Kristen Bell, Cindy Crawford, Joan Collins and Keith Lemon, no match has been found.

(Marley's mum Shaney Truman speaking at a previous Marrow for Marley event)

“It’s heart-breaking,” mum Shaney Truman, 25, told the South Wales Argus yesterday (Wednesday 17).

“He was taken into the Heath for a transfusion last Monday because his bloods have been going down.

“They got really low last week, so he had to go in and have two units transfused, which is a lot because he’s so small.

“Since then, his energy levels have come back up, and he’s been able to climb the stairs and tie his shoes which he couldn’t before the transfusion.

“But obviously his blood levels are dropping now, so it really is a race against time.”

The family met with a consultant at the Heath who explained that Marley has a really rare Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type.

So far, despite a world-wide search, no match has been found for Marley.

“It’s heart-breaking to be told there’s no match, and now we need more people than ever on the register," said Ms Truman.

 

“His bone marrow just isn’t working on a level he needs to survive anymore. But he can’t survive on blood transfusions alone, because they can’t replace the cells that fight infections. He’s basically living without an immune system at the moment.”

Ms Truman explained that transfusions usually last 30 days, and so the family are expecting to be back in hospital in around a month.

But for now, Marley is back home with his family, and Ms Truman said they were still just about able to keep his spirits up.

“It’s so hard for him,” she added.

“Just three months ago he was playing with his friends, and he was such a social little boy. But now he’s pretty much in isolation.

“He’s so brave, but it is hard.”

 

(Marley was diagnosed three months go, with no previous symptoms)

Marley was diagnosed on July 23, and Ms Truman said the news couldn't have been more out of the blue.

Since then, the family have created the Marrow for Marley campaign, which holds events around South Wales to encourage people to sign up to the bone marrow and stem cell transplant register. Over 20,000 people have signed up to the register over the last three months, thanks to the family's efforts.

The process only involves a simple mouth swab and filling in a form.

Speaking at a previous event, Ms Truman said it was about signing up as many people as possible.

"The doctors have only given him two years without a match," she said.

 

(Marley (right), pictured playing with his younger brother)

"What people don't realise is that it only takes four minutes from start to finish, it couldn't be easier."

The next marrow for Marley event is being held on Saturday, October 20, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Pontypool ALC.

After that, another will be held on Thursday, October 25 at the Burnt Bar Club in Chepstow, from 1pm to 6pm.

On Saturday, November 3, a third event will be held from 11am to 4pm at the Festival Park Outlet shopping centre in Ebbw Vale.

People can also help by signing up on the DKMS website or on the Anthony Nolan website. Both charities will send a home testing kit to you.

If you sign up online, please remember to send your swabs back, as many people have signed up without returning their samples.

For more information, or to offer support, please visit the Marrow for Marley Facebook page.