Girl runs into the arms of a German who saved her life after donating bone marrow

October 31, 2016

India Jaz White was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia as a 1 year old
Doctors told her family she urgently needed a bone marrow transplant
They found a donor in the form of a 34-year-old woman from Germany
But they were not allowed to contact her for 2 years after the operation
The donor found the family on Twitter and they arranged to meet up
And when they met for the first time, India, now five, ran and hugged her

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
07:13 EDT, 31 October 2016

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Updated:
11:41 EDT, 31 October 2016

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This is the heartwarming moment a five-year-old girl ran straight into the arms of a German stranger – whose donated organ saved her life.

India Jaz White, from Cwmparc, Rhondda, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare form of leukaemia as a one year old.

Her parents were told she urgently needed a bone marrow transplant and spent months searching for a potential donor.

Eventually, they found a perfect match in the form of a 34-year-old woman from Germany – but were not allowed to contact her for two years after the operation.

The family’s ‘hero’, called Sindy, then got in contact with them through Twitter and they arranged to meet up.

And three years after the transplant, on India’s fifth birthday, they finally got to meet each other. The youngster ran and hugged her as soon as touched down at Cardiff Airport.

India Jaz White’s parents spent months searching for a bone marrow transplant before finding a 100 per cent match in Germany, a woman called Sindy. Three years after the transplant, India ran into Sindy’s arms when she touched down at Cardiff Airport (pictured)

Mrs White said: ‘It was the most amazing moment. India was holding a rose and ran straight to Sindy who had her arms out and they hugged.

‘Sindy was crying and the tears were flowing from our family – it was so emotional.

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‘We went to a build-a-bear shop where we let India and Sindy’s daughter Nora, pick out their teddies and we put a personalised message in both.

‘We then went for meal and gave Sindy her gifts – she had a personalised fingerprint necklace, a Welsh slate heart and a Cardiff City top.

India Jaz White was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare form of leukaemia when she was a baby. It meant her bone marrow wasn’t making enough blood cells and she needed a transplant. Her parents Shelley and Ryan spent months searching for a potential donor

‘She understood most words if we spoke slow and there were no awkward moments – we all got on straight away.’

WHY ARE PATIENTS ADVISED TO WAIT 2 YEARS TO CONTACT THEIR DONOR?

Patients are advised to wait for two years before trying to make contact with their donor.

They say this is to prevent any emotional connection from being created during an uncertain period.

Experts recommend the two years because patients may still need extra stem cells or bone marrow after their initial operation.

But after this time surgeons will have a clear understanding of whether the transplant is completely finished.

However, during this time anonymous letters and cards can be sent between the two to say thank you and to let the other know how the transplant went.

Direct contact must be two years after the last transplant or donor infusion – and both must be in good health.

India was diagnosed with the disease when she was just one after her family were concerned with her frequent coughing, illness and pale, grey complexion.

It meant her bone marrow wasn’t making enough new blood cells and she urgently needed a transplant.

Their campaign for a donor attracted support from Gok Wan, Danny Dyer, Helen Flanagan, Imogen Thomas, Charlotte Church and a host of Welsh rugby stars.

They eventually found the perfect donor through an organ registry months later and the transplant was scheduled.

In March 2013, India and her family headed to Bristol, where she underwent chemotherapy and started the process ready for her transplant.

A week later she underwent the life-saving operation and for six weeks was observed closely by an oncologist team and doctors.

Not long after returning home, the family said they received a letter from India’s donor after she found them on Twitter – but they were advised not to contact her for two years after the operation.

The Anthony Nolan Foundation advise donors to not meet the person they’ve helped for that time frame to stop any emotional connections from being created during a period when they may still need more stem cells.

The family presented Sindy with a host of gifts to say thank you for saving their daughter’s life. Sindy also bought India a silver charm bracelet with a puzzle piece saying ‘forever connected’. She also has a matching tattoo on her shoulder saying the same phrase

Three years later, on India’s fifth birthday, the family finally arranged to meet Sindy, the donor they describe as their ‘hero’.

WHAT IS APLASTIC ANAEMIA?

Aplastic anaemia is a rare disorder in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells.

The condition can be acquired, meaning that the condition has developed during the patient’s life, or inherited.

Aplastic anaemia is not a form of cancer but may be associated with certain cancers, especially those affecting the bone marrow, such as leukaemia.

Because of the lack of cells within the blood, these are replaced by fat cells.

There are approximately 125 cases diagnosed every year and, of this number, 30 cases are children.

She flew to Cardiff Airport this month and was greeted by India, who ran straight into her arms.

The following day, India celebrated her fifth birthday at a fancy dress party with her close family, friends and Sindy.

Sindy had bought her a silver charm bracelet with a puzzle piece saying ‘forever connected’. She also has a matching tattoo on her shoulder saying the same phrase.

Mrs White said: ‘There were lots of tears on the day and everyone made her welcome and said thank-you for saving India’s life.

‘We all had an amazing weekend with a special lady who was once a stranger but is now our family.’

The family took Sindy and Nora to the nearest beach because the closest beach to their home in Germany was five hours away.

Sindy joked that she wanted to take the family back to her home in her suitcase before she left.