Utah girl Emma Meline was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia days before Christmas; her 2-year-old sister became her perfect bone marrow match
A Utah family’s difficult medical journey took an emotional turn when young Emma Meline was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia just days before Christmas, and about two months later, the family learned that her 2-year-old sister was a perfect bone marrow match. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser organised by Emma’s mother, Amanda Meline, Emma began experiencing concerning symptoms on December 21, 2025, and was soon diagnosed with bone marrow failure and severe aplastic anemia. The family later learned that Emma’s younger sister, Lucy, could donate the marrow needed for her transplant.
A sudden diagnosis
Emma’s health concerns began shortly before Christmas 2025. Her parents noticed symptoms that worried them, prompting a visit to her pediatrician. She was then sent for further testing and biopsies, which led to a diagnosis of bone marrow failure and severe aplastic anemia.The condition affects the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones responsible for producing blood cells. In people with aplastic anemia, the marrow does not make enough new red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. As a result, patients can become vulnerable to infections, fatigue, bleeding and other serious complications.According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Emma required repeated care at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City and was treated on an immunocompromised services unit. Her family described her condition as extremely rare and said even relatively minor illnesses could become serious because of her weakened immune system.
The Meline sisters (Image Credit: Amanda Meline via PEOPLE)
Family searched for match
Following Emma’s diagnosis, her parents and four siblings underwent testing to determine whether any of them could be a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant.A transplant can replace damaged or failing blood-forming cells with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor. For patients with severe aplastic anemia, a stem cell or bone marrow transplant can potentially provide a curative treatment, particularly when a suitable donor is available.For Emma’s family, the search eventually produced extraordinary news: her 2-year-old sister, Lucy, was identified as a perfect match.
Sister becomes donor
According to an exclusive report by PEOPLE, Lucy was able to donate bone marrow to her older sister, allowing Emma to undergo the transplant on February 17, 2026. Before the procedure, Emma received chemotherapy as part of the transplant process. Lucy, meanwhile, was described by her mother as being brave throughout the donation process.The transplant went well, and Emma and her mother returned home to Pleasant Grove in March, according to PEOPLE. By late May, Emma had reached the 100-day milestone following the transplant without complications and celebrated her fifth birthday by ringing the bell at the children’s hospital.
A long road to recovery
Although the transplant marked an important milestone, Emma’s recovery has continued. PEOPLE reported that she remained immunocompromised and continued to require medical care and precautions after returning home.Her family has also relied on community support throughout the ordeal. The GoFundMe fundraiser was created to help cover medical expenses associated with Emma’s hospital care, testing, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.The fundraiser reflects how quickly Emma’s illness transformed everyday family life. Her mother wrote that the long hospital stays and numerous medical tests had created significant financial pressure, while also thanking friends, relatives and community members for supporting the family.
A life-changing bond
For Emma and Lucy, the experience has created a bond that goes beyond being sisters. Lucy’s donation gave Emma a chance to recover from a life-threatening illness and return home to her family.Amanda told PEOPLE, Emma has become increasingly aware that Lucy helped save her life. The two sisters have developed a particularly strong connection since the transplant, with Emma often looking out for her younger sister.Emma’s story began with a frightening diagnosis just days before Christmas. About two months later, the discovery that her toddler sister was a perfect donor match offered the family a path forward, turning an extraordinarily difficult chapter into one marked by hope, recovery and an enduring bond between two sisters.(Source: GoFundMe, PEOPLE’s exclusive report)
