The gift OF LIFE

Ellie Dowsett and her family are looking forward to a very special Christmas

- KATE CHAPMAN

Christmas is a time of magic and togetherness, and this year holds deeper meaning for the Dowsett family - they're planning a big, multigenerational celebration for the first time since their youngest child underwent a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

Theo, now 14, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia - a rare and serious condition where the bone marrow doesn't produce enough new blood cells - in 2023. Although he was excited to be home for Christmas that year, he remained in isolation, spending the day with his parents Ellie, now 45, and Paul, 44. His sisters Mia, 20, and Gracie, 18, celebrated with grandparents and cousins, before they all played games and quizzes over Zoom.

Last year, the family's plans were thrown into disarray by illness, so Ellie says 2025 will be extra special when they reunite with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins for a traditional family Christmas for the first time since Theo's diagnosis.

'We were looking forward to a good family Christmas last year but Theo was unwell the week before and shared his germs with us,' recalls Ellie, a beauty therapist, from Maidstone, Kent. Ellie, Paul and Gracie were ill, with Gracie needing antibiotics from the out-of-hours doctor on Christmas Day, so they couldn't enjoy the family time planned.

'This year we're all excited for a big family Christmas spread over a few days. Theo loves all the usual traditions and spending time with family,' adds Ellie.

It was May 2023 when Ellie spotted bruises on Theo's legs, which she thought he'd got playing football. Within days his arms, chest and back were covered in pinprick-sized red dots. His GP took blood samples and the family remained unconcerned until a knock at the door at 2am. 'It was a man from the hospital hammering on the door. He said Theo needed to go to A&E as soon as possible. It really scared me,' says Ellie.