Girl, 13, suffered so much pain from disease, she couldn't play sport or go on holiday
Neriya-May Hall has had her life transformed by the use of ultrasound to administer blood transfusions and is now much less likely to experience a sickle cell crisis.
A 13-year-old girl who suffered “so much pain” it left her unable to play sport or go on holiday can now enjoy both thanks to a pioneering sickle cell procedure.
Neriya-May Hall has had her life transformed by the use of ultrasound to administer blood transfusions and is now much less likely to experience a sickle cell crisis – painful episodes that occur when blood vessels become blocked.
Her father Leon said: “Before this, we had to fly back from holiday because Neriya had a crisis and she was in so much pain, which was horrible to see.
“But all of that has gone away now. We feel confident when she has this treatment that we can go away.”
Neriya is one of many children receiving the life-changing procedure
Sickle cell disease is a serious and lifelong condition that is common in people of African or Caribbean descent which produces unusually-shaped red blood cells.
About 160 patients at St George’s Hospital in London have now received a special type of blood transfusion that replaces those cells with donor blood.
Leon, from Croydon, said: “We’ve noticed such a difference, and it’s much better for Neriya. She’s amazing, and just takes it all in her stride.”
Neriya requires this “gold-standard” treatment every four to five weeks and has been receiving care for about five years While receiving the treatment, she has also brought reassurance to other children who will get the procedure.
Neriya says she tells them: “It might hurt for five minutes, but then it’s calm. It’s better this way, because you get it done, and you know you’re good for another five weeks.”
Neriya enjoys playing football with her local team Addiscombe Allstars FC
The teenager and her family have since been able to take a trip to Morocco which would not have been possible without the treatment.
Kate Slemeck, Managing Director for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our specialist centre cares for 700 children and adults with sickle cell every year – using advanced treatments to help them live well.
“Neriya’s story demonstrates how such advancements are making a difference to quality of life and experience.”
While Michaela Mayhew, a haematology nurse at St George’s spoke of her pride at seeing Neriya being able to ‘live her life’.
She said: “Using ultrasound in this way is rare, and seeing patients like Neriya live their lives as a result makes me very proud.
Neriya says she has reassured other children getting the treatment
“Things have changed a lot, in terms of how we treat people with sickle cell disease, and the younger generation – like Neriya – show what can be done.”
NHS Blood and Transplant needs 12,000 extra donors of Black heritage, and 250 donations, every day, to help meet the demand for patients with sickle cell.
