New blood matching test means little Woody has so much to smile about

THE family of a toddler with a rare form of anaemia are backing a new blood match programme for people who need regular transfusions.

- By Storm Newton

NHS Blood and Transplant says it is the first time the test has been used for people with rare inherited anaemias.

Woody Mayers, 22 months, has congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type 1, in which the bone marrow struggles to produce healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body.

The condition, thought to affect one to five of every million babies, means Woody has low haemoglobin levels and must have transfusions every four weeks to stay alive.

However, donor blood must be matched carefully to cut the risk of patients developing antibodies against certain plasma types, which can cause severe reactions and make future transfusions more difficult.