Aplastic Anemia
I always knew I was one in a million, but this finally confirmed it - Rikki

image by: The Aplastic Anaemia Trust
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Rikki: my rollercoaster experience of aplastic anaemia
Nothing can quite prepare you for the emotional and physical rollercoaster that is aplastic anaemia. There’s no best-selling book that you can purchase at Waterstones that can teach you how to deal with the turmoil of an illness that wasn’t there yesterday but is very much there today.
Aplastic anaemia raises its ugly head
2015, I was in my last year of university in Liverpool and spent much more time drinking and partying than studying. I believe this masked my judgement for my (now so apparent) symptoms of AA. I was bruising loads and felt incredibly fatigued, I blamed this on “drunken falls” and late nights in the library revising and writing essays. I turned…
Resources
Neal Young: Conquering Aplastic Anemia
Forty years ago, a diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia meant almost certain death. The bone marrow would suddenly stop producing new blood cells—red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Today, however, thanks to the work of NIH scientist Neal Young and others, the survival rate for this rare disease is above 80 percent.
Will aplastic anaemia patients be able to have the coronavirus vaccine?
We understand that information about vaccines is really important to our community, so we’ve created this handy page to give you all of the latest information about Coronavirus vaccines.
My Aplastic Anemia Story
Aplastic Anemia has shaped my life, and I am now constantly striving for new adventure, and I don’t disregard any new idea that pops into my crazy little head — I’m willing to give it a shot. Because, well, why the heck not!? We’ve got this one life, might as well use it to the fullest!
Diagnosis of acquired aplastic anemia
Since the introduction of the concept of aplastic anemia (AA) by Paul Ehrlich in 1888 and despite the current better understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in this disease, a clear delimitation among BM failure syndromes is still a matter of debate.
Ellen’s Biggest (and Bravest) Fan Opens Up About Hospital Life, Junebug and Her Love of Chef Boyardee
Despite being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells; enduring two bone marrow transplants and multiple rounds of chemo and radiation; and living in isolation because her immune system is so weak, Briana remains a dazzling ray of sunshine.
NIH scientist helped solve a frightening bone marrow mystery
Aplastic anemia was once a disease that terrified doctors, mysteriously shutting down the bone marrow’s ability to make blood cells and threatening the young and healthy with death. But in the the late 1970s, hematologist Neal S. Young saw the disease as one that held not only fear but also potential for his field.
Our scars make us beautiful: Rosie’s story
If you take just one thing from my story, I want you to take this; never hide who you are or what you have been through. Be proud of what you have endured.
Sandy's Long, Hard, Road
I would tell someone newly diagnosed that it is a very long, hard, road ahead but the road eventually ends. Aplastic anemia is a terrible disease, but it’s a curable one. You have to stay as positive as you can and know that things will get better.
Sara Faces Down Aplastic Anemia
If I have any advice to give to newly diagnosed patients it is to be present and attentive. Be a part of the process no matter how difficult it may be. Ask questions and try and stay informed.
Unlocking the Mystery of Aplastic Anemia
Suddenly her diagnosis was twofold. In addition to autoimmune hepatitis, Mary Glen also had aplastic anemia, a life-threatening condition so rare that it affects only 600 to 900 Americans per year. Aplastic anemia can be caused by chemotherapy and exposure to toxic chemicals, but for many patients its cause is unknown, according to the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. In Mary Glen’s case, doctors suspected that a viral infection might have set off an autoimmune reaction.
“Everything is going to be okay:” Jocelyn’s Story of Aplastic Anemia, PNH, and Survivorship
“You have to believe that it’s going to be okay! Keep going, share your story, and know that you aren’t alone!”
Rikki: my rollercoaster experience of aplastic anaemia
Nothing can quite prepare you for the emotional and physical rollercoaster that is aplastic anaemia. There’s no best-selling book that you can purchase at Waterstones that can teach you how to deal with the turmoil of an illness that wasn’t there yesterday but is very much there today.
Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation
Aplastic anemia is caused by the destruction of blood-forming stem cells in bone marrow. These stem cells normally develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
The Aplastic Anaemia Trust
Our mission is to enable vital research into the causes of aplastic anaemia and other rare bone marrow failures that ultimately leads to finding a cure, and to support everyone affected by them, so they can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Aplastic Anemia Blog – Marrowly Rolling Along
Aplastic Anemia from the patient's perspective..
My Blog, My Journey, My Life with Aplastic Anemia
My name Kamara I am 26 y/o. I have 2 daughters. I have been officially diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia in July 2015. I have never heard of this disease so i decided to "Google It". And came across a few blogs of other people's experiences that i really appreciated. So i decided to make my own, hopefully to help someone else one day.
Surviving Aplastic Anemia
Blogging about living with this rare condition. So what is Aplastic Anemia? It is a form of bone marrow failure, not the kind of anemia where you just take some iron supplements. From my understanding, what happened was that it was caused by an immune response to my baby...
DKMS
Each year, about 600-900 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with aplastic anemia. For many, a bone marrow transplant can be a successful cure. But, only 30% of bone marrow matches are found within a patient’s family. That’s why it’s so important to sign up today! Together we can help more aplastic anemia patients find a match -- and get a second chance at life.
Pediatric EM Morsels
Majority of cases are idiopathic (~70-80%), but can be due to inherited conditions.
Beat the Cancer
Extensive resource.
CheckOrphan
Aplastic refers to inability of the stem cells to generate mature blood cells. It can be caused by injury to blood stem cells due to exposure to certain drugs, chemotherapy, congenital disorders, drug therapy to suppress the immune system, pregnancy, radiation therapy, or toxins such as benzene or arsenic. When the cause is unknown, it is referred to as idiopathic aplastic anemia. In about half of all cases, no cause can be found. The condition can be acute or chronic.
GARD
Aplastic anemia can lead to other health concerns such as an irregular heartbeat, an enlarged heart, and heart failure. It can be caused by injury to blood stem cells due to exposure to certain drugs, chemotherapy, congenital disorders, drug therapy to suppress the immune system, pregnancy, radiation therapy, or toxins such as benzene or arsenic. When the cause is unknown, it is referred to as idiopathic aplastic anemia.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS
In aplastic anaemia, all types of blood cells are reduced. This is called pancytopenia – pan means all, cyto means cells and penia means few. A bone marrow sample, which would normally contain large numbers of immature blood cells, will contain very few such cells in a patient with aplastic anaemia.
NORD
The symptoms of acquired aplastic anemia occur as a consequence of the bone marrow failing to produce enough blood cells. Specific symptoms vary from case to case. Some individuals may have mild symptoms that remain stable for many years; others may have serious symptoms that can progress to life-threatening complications.

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