Light at the end of the tunnel for Baby Rayaan

Against all odds, Morningside’s little resident Baby Rayaan has not only secured a matching donor but also undergone a successful blood stem cell transplant.

The six-month-old baby was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myeloid leukaemia when he was just a few weeks old.

Since then, the Singh family has been on a massive drive to promote stem cell donation with members of the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS) bone marrow donor centre in the hope of finding a unrelated match for Rayaan.

“Ray has a new lease on life and it’s the most incredible feeling to know that a match has been found! There are no words to express our appreciation for the gift of life,” said Rayaan’s mother Arlene.

The first 100 days following the transplant is critical as the youngster remains under observation in isolation. “He will remain in hospital for the next few weeks until engraftment has happened. We pray that Ray’s body accepts the donor marrow and starts building his new immune system.”

Arlene would like to express a big thank you to everyone in the community who signed up to be stem cell donors. “Saying thank you to the donor, better referred to as an angel or miracle worker, comes from the bottom of our hearts. Your selfless deed will forever be etched in our lives.”

The Singh family continues to encourage more people to get involved and become donors. “There are literally thousands of people in dire need of bone marrow transplants and we urge you to please consider signing up to become a potential life saver if you have not done so already.

Please keep donating blood as well as platelets to the South African National Blood Service as they are a crucial lifeline to Ray and the millions of other people in need.

“We will continue raising awareness for all the fighters that need our help and we hope you will too. We are all in this fight together.”

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/312581/morningside-community-steps-up-to-help-baby-in-need/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/307528/help-boost-blood-donations/