Hope in ACTION

THE FACTS BEHIND THE FIGHT

- Belad Al-karkhey

Every three days, one Australian is diagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome. Most of them are children and young adults, and half those diagnosed will not survive, according to organisation Maddie Riewoldt's Vision.

Thousands more live with complex medical challenges and ongoing health risks, including a significantly higher chance of developing cancer. Knowing the signs, causes and ways to help can mean saving a life.

WHAT ARE BONE MARROW FAILURE SYNDROMES?

Bone marrow failure happens when the body is unable to produce or continue to produce healthy blood cells. There is a broad group of disorders that fall under the category of bone marrow failure syndromes. According to St Vincent's Institute, the three types of Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes are:

APLASTIC ANAEMIA Bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells.

MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES Blood cells fail to mature properly, which affects their function.

PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL HEMOGLOBINURIA Red blood cells lack protective coating and break down too quickly.

Other potential disorders include fanconi anaemia, schwachman-diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis congenita, and diamond-blackfan anaemia.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?