KELOWNA — A Kelowna couple is sharing their heart wrenching story hoping it inspires more people to become bone marrow donors. Tara Beeharry’s and Thor Bjarnason’s 2-year-old daughter, Nadia, suffers from a rare genetic condition called Dyskeratosis Congenita.
The disease’s symptoms vary but in many ways resemble premature aging.
“Bone marrow failure is one, premature grey hair, weak finger nails there could be lung issue a myriad of things” says Bjarnason.
It’s the bone marrow failure that little Nadia is now experiencing. As it deteriorates, the need for a bone marrow transplant is becoming more urgent. The problem is no match has been found.
“If she does not get a bone marrow transplant she will not survive” says Bjarnason.
As the family waits and hopes for a life-saving match, they are encouraging more people to consider becoming bone marrow donors.
”If you’re under 35 you can enroll in bone marrow registry it is really easy to do. You will fill out a form online and they send you a swab kit in the mail and you mail it back it is very easy” says Bjarnason.
If you would like more information on becoming a donor or to register, click here.
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