2-year-old needs your help to overcome Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A two-year-old girl named Maddy Chesworth and her family are appealing to their community to help find her a stem cell match through DKMS, a non-profit multinational organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of blood cancer and blood diseases.

According to Alessandra, Maddy’s mom, Maddy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the tender age of three months old in November of 2021.

“When Maddy developed a bloated tummy, we realised something was wrong. We saw a doctor and were directed to the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre for more testing.”

Two days later they received the devastating diagnosis.

Alessandra added that they were fortunate in that the chemotherapy worked, and Maddy was certified cancer-free after only one month of treatment.

“She remained cancer-free for a year and a half, but she, unfortunately, relapsed in June,” she said, “this time the cancer cells were present in her spinal fluid, affecting her to the point where she couldn’t walk or talk.”

Maddy is now cancer-free after one month of chemo and back to being strong and independent.

Maddy’s greatest chance of living a full and joyful life is to find a stem cell donor and undergo a transplant. You may assist her by signing up to be a stem cell donor at dkms-africa.org/maddy-needs-you-fb. The test is non-evasive and can be done through the mail with a few swabs of DNA – Alessandra hopes to, not only find a match for her daughter but for the many patients patiently waiting for a match to help save their lives.

“For those of you that would like to register to be a donor, without registering online, we will be having a donor drive at Belfiore Italian Deli on Saturday, August 26 from 9:00 till 13:00,” exclaimed Alessandra, adding that they are especially appealing to people of Italian descent as they might have a bigger chance of matching with Maddy.

To follow Maddy’s journey, like her Facebook page – Maddy’s Brave Journey.