A five-year-old girl from Salt Lake City has been given a second chance at life after receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant from her two-year-old sister.
Emma Meline was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, an extremely rare bone marrow disorder, after her mother, Amanda Meline, took her to a paediatrician when she developed a rash and swelling on her leg just days before Christmas in 2025.
Initial tests ruled out leukaemia, but doctors later confirmed that Emma was suffering from aplastic anaemia, a condition in which the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells. The illness can range from mild to life-threatening and, in severe cases, requires a bone marrow transplant.
Further testing revealed that Emma's younger sister, Lucy, was a perfect genetic match and could become her donor.
Despite being only two years old, Lucy underwent medical testing ahead of the procedure and reportedly told her family she was "being brave for Emma" whenever blood samples were taken.
Before the transplant, Emma underwent targeted chemotherapy to destroy her damaged bone marrow and prepare her body to receive the healthy donor cells.
The transplant, performed on 17 February 2026, was successful, allowing Emma and her mother to return home less than a month later to continue her recovery.
More than 100 days after the procedure, doctors confirmed there had been no recurrence of the disease, with the transplant considered a complete success.
Emma remains immunocompromised and continues to follow strict health precautions while her immune system recovers.
Amanda Meline said the experience has created an extraordinary bond between the sisters, with Emma now fully understanding that Lucy helped save her life.
She also praised her daughter's resilience throughout the ordeal, saying the experience had shown remarkable courage and maturity despite Emma's young age.