A schoolgirl who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer has now gone into remission thanks to a bone marrow donation from her little sister.
Ten-year-old Ruby Leaning was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after collapsing in the playground at school in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
The young woman urgently needed a bone marrow transplant and after a series of tests it was discovered that her little sister Mabel, five years old, was the perfect match.
The sisters’ grandmother, Amanda Fawcett, 56, says Ruby later received the transplant and was later declared cancer-free, meaning Mabel “surely saved Ruby’s life.”
She said: “She had the stem cell treatment and actually got her little sister Mabel’s stem cells because she was the perfect match.”
Ten-year-old Ruby Leaning was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after collapsing in the school playground in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
“At first we didn’t expect her to be a match, but luckily she was, so we couldn’t believe our luck.
‘It was incredible, we were very grateful. Mabel’s treatment helped her go into remission; I’m sure Mabel saved his life.’
Ruby was just six years old in January 2020 when she collapsed at school and was rushed to A&E.
She was then rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital that same night, where she was diagnosed with cancer.
Amanda was in the hospital room with Ruby’s mother Rebecca when the young woman was diagnosed, which she described as “heartbreaking.”
She said: “It’s every parent’s and grandparent’s nightmare.”
“He was in the room with his mother when we found out and you can’t take anything in at all.
The young woman urgently needed a bone marrow transplant and after a series of tests it was discovered that her little sister Mabel, five years old, was the perfect match. The sisters appear at the hospital together.
“It was all heartbreaking.”
Mabel was only two years old when she saved her sister’s life, so Amanda says she “really doesn’t understand” the meaning of her actions at the moment.
But he joked that Mabel will “make Ruby pay her back” and “borrow her shoes” in return when she’s older.
Amanda, owner of a flower business called Groovy Ruby, said: “He was only two so he doesn’t really understand it.” But I’m sure Mabel will make Ruby pay her back when she’s a little older and she notices her.
“They are very close and they are incredible girls, but they have a great relationship with each other.
“But Mabel will ask to borrow Ruby’s shoes when she realizes and we laugh that it will be fun and funny.”
Ruby rang the bell to declare herself cancer-free in 2022 and says Ruby is now “fantastic” and back to her normal self.
Amanda said: “He’s amazing – he only has one check-up a year now and he’s just stopped taking any more medication.”
Amanda Fawcett, Laura Leaning, Ruby Leaning and Mabel Leaning. Amanda says Ruby is doing “fantastic” now.
‘She is a happy, normal, healthy ten-year-old girl who loves swimming, dancing and taking piano lessons. “She’s just doing fantastic.”
Amanda is now raising money for the Association of Parents of Children with Tumors and Leukemia (PACT), which provided “incredible” support to the whole family.
She said: ‘They understand what parents are going through, so give them lots of support.
‘Whether they brought a sweet pram to the children or gave them coloring books, they are an amazing charity.
‘None of us could be there for Ruby, which was terrible for us because of the pandemic.
“But they were incredibly supportive: they were there for my daughter when I couldn’t be there because of the pandemic.”
The girls’ grandmother, Amanda, says they are “very close” and have a “great relationship.”
PACT administrative officer Nicola Brown says it was an “absolute pleasure” to support Ruby on her cancer journey.
She said: ‘We are now very lucky that Amanda, her family and friends are organizing another fundraiser for PACT and the National Autistic Society.
‘We are absolutely delighted to be one of their chosen charities and, as always, look forward to seeing what fun things they have in store to raise funds for both charities.
“They are a truly wonderful family and it was our absolute pleasure to support them on their childhood cancer journey.”
Amanda will be co-hosting a fundraising night for the charity and the National Autism Society at The Hainton Club in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, on May 10.
You can also donate to the family’s Just Giving page. here.