A BRAVE youngster who has shared her journey receiving life-saving treatment for a rare blood disorder has been shortlisted for a prestigious award. 

Evie Hodgson, nine, who last year had a stem cell transplant, has raised awareness and funds for the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan during her stem cell transplant journey.

This included sharing her story on ITV’s This Morning numerous times, with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

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Evie also amazingly shared the day of her transplant, as well as other videos, on her YouTube channel called ‘Evie’s Transplant Journey’.

The youngster, from Whitby, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia, a rare blood disorder, in May 2020 after developing a rash.

At just eight, she was told she needed a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor in order to survive.

Anthony Nolan searched their register for a matching stem cell donor, who could give Evie a second chance of life.

A matching donor was found but unfortunately, they were unable to go ahead with their donation.

This was a huge blow to Evie and her family, but Evie wanted to do something positive and started campaigning to try and encourage more people to join the stem cell register, to help to others in her situation.

The ‘Evie Needs A Hero’ campaign resulted in an amazing number of people signing up to join the stem cell register – over 25,000.

After announcing on ITV’s This Morning that a new match had been found, Evie’s stem cell transplant went ahead in January 2021.

It was during this time that she started sharing her story, demonstrating the realities of a stem cell transplant, on her YouTube channel.

Now she is set to be honoured at a digital awards celebration this week after being shortlisted for the John Petchey Young Hero of the Year award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2022.

The Northern Echo: Evie and her mum Tina appeared on This Morning with Philip Schofield and Holly WilloughbyEvie and her mum Tina appeared on This Morning with Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

The awards, which are in their eighth year, have seen hundreds of people honoured for making the charity’s work possible.

Celebrity winners have included Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, reality star Bobby Norris and Olympic medallist Chris Newton.

Speaking about her nomination, Evie said: "I am really proud of what I have achieved and can't believe that sharing my story has helped so many others.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me during my journey and kept my spirits high during the most difficult times." 

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “It is remarkable to see how many people support our work to find a match for those in need of a stem cell transplant.

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"Without them, none of our life-saving work would be possible.

"Evie has been incredible.

The Northern Echo: Evie HodgsonEvie Hodgson

"Despite everything she has gone through, she has provided so much awareness for Anthony Nolan and she has inspired so many potential lifesavers to join the stem cell register."

As well as finding matching stem cell donors for people with blood cancer and blood disorders, Anthony Nolan also carries out ground-breaking research and provides information and support to patients after a stem cell transplant, through its clinical nurse specialists and psychologists.

All winners of the 2022 awards will be revealed at 7pm on Thursday (February 17) at anthonynolan.org/awards

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