Little Sister’s Brave Bone Marrow Donation Gives 5-Year-Old a New Chance at Life
A remarkable bond between two young sisters in Salt Lake City has grown even stronger after 2-year-old Lucy donated bone marrow to help save her 5-year-old sister, Emma Meline.
Emma’s health journey began just four days before Christmas 2025, when her mother, Amanda Meline, and Amanda’s then-husband, Jacob, noticed a rash and swelling on the child’s leg. Concerned by the symptoms, Emma’s pediatrician quickly ordered laboratory tests.
Although the family was relieved to learn that Emma did not have leukemia, the tests revealed another serious condition: aplastic anemia. This rare disease prevents bone marrow from producing enough blood cells. Its severity can vary, and while medication helps some patients, Emma needed a bone marrow transplant.
Hope arrived from within the family. Lucy, one of Emma’s younger twin sisters, was found to be a perfect genetic match, making her an ideal donor with little concern about transplant rejection.
As the family waited two months for the procedure, Amanda and Emma spent much of their time together in the hospital because Emma was frightened to be alone. Lucy also underwent multiple rounds of blood tests in preparation for the donation—and met each one with loving determination.
“[Lucy’s] favorite thing to say was, ‘I’m being brave for Emma,’ if she had to get blood work done,” Meline said. “And it was so tender.”
Before the transplant on February 17, 2026, Emma received targeted chemotherapy to clear her existing bone marrow and prepare her body for Lucy’s donated cells. The transplant was successful, and Emma returned home with her mother on March 11 to continue recovering.
Because her immune system remains vulnerable, Emma still needs special precautions to protect her from infection. Yet the family reached an encouraging milestone when, 100 days after the procedure, there was no sign that the aplastic anemia had returned.
Through it all, Amanda has watched both daughters show extraordinary strength. Lucy’s courage gave her sister a vital second chance, while Emma’s resilience carried her through months of treatment and recovery.
“Honestly, it’s really crazy to see Emma’s mental fortitude,” Meline said.
Emma now looks at her little sister with even greater affection and appreciation. Their mother sees something beautiful in the way the experience has deepened their relationship.
“She’s realizing that Lucy saved her life and they have that bond,” Amanda told People. “That’s so incredible.”
