Words: Courtney Crane
Photography: Leanne Churchill
Isabella O’Connell could have been killed by a cold before a miracle 40ml bag of bone marrow saved her life.
Born with little to no immune system, it’s hard to believe the giggling, energetic Bannockburn 2½-year-old was once so ill she needed a morphine shot to change her nappy.
Isabella was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency at 20 months after a series of mystery rashes and illnesses, and has spent much of her young life in isolation at home, and at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Mr O’Connell said the dedication of RCH staff and volunteers had been “incredible”.
“If you could give them everything you had, you would,” he said, holding Isabella in his arms.
“This is the best thanks we can give right here — our little girl being alive and well.”
Click here to read the full story in the Geelong Advertiser.
To donate to The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, go to goodfridayappeal.com.au or phone 9292 1166.