Support for Eme - Aplastic Anemia Journey

As many of you know, beautiful Eme has recently been diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia — a rare and serious condition where his body no longer produces enough new blood cells. It’s turned life upside down for him and his amazing parents, Renee and Ben, as they juggle hospital stays, transfusions, and an uncertain road ahead.

After the heartbreaking news that no bone marrow donor match was found, Eme will now begin immunosuppressive therapy. On Monday, he and his parents will travel to Christchurch for at least two weeks to start this intensive treatment — far from home, their support network, and their two other children.

Aplastic anemia is extremely rare and life-threatening, affecting around 1 in 500,000 people each year in this part of the world. Eme’s bone marrow has almost completely stopped producing the blood cells he needs to survive. Despite a global donor registry of over 25 million people, no suitable match has been found. Without a transplant, he faces months — possibly years — of treatment.

Anyone who knows Renee and Ben knows how loving and generous they are — always showing up for others. Now it’s our turn to show up for them.

While core treatment and accommodation are covered, the financial pressure is real. Both parents will be off work, with ongoing costs like petrol, meals, hospital activities for Eme and household bills.

Every donation helps ease the burden and lets Renee and Ben focus on helping Eme heal.

Thank you so much for your kindness and aroha.