SOMEONE out there has the power to help save little Amy Read's life.

The four-year-old from Moorcroft, Edenfield, has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant.

Her parents, Wendy and Mark, can only hope that a donor is found before it is too late.

Amy's illness was first diagnosed in 1994 when she developed bruising on her legs and became very run down.

Wendy, 26, said: "I was devastated. She had to go through two years of chemotherapy which left her very prone to infection so she couldn't mix with other children or go to public places.

"Doctors never use the word 'cured', but when she finished the treatment we thought she had managed to beat it.''

But the leukaemia has returned - and this time doctors say she will die unless she has a bone marrow transplant.

Courageous little Amy is back on chemotherapy and is also having regular radiotherapy.

For the time being, she has been allowed to return to her school, Stubbins County Primary, but she has lost her hair and tires easily. Despite everything she remains cheerful. Wendy said: "She is a character, a cheeky, normal little girl who loves the Spice Girls.

"I don't think she knows how serious the situation is. She has coped remarkably well.''

Wendy and Mark, 31, have also had to learn to cope. Wendy said: "It has been very hard but I am coming to terms with it now.

"You have to put on a calm exterior because inside you are churning up.''

The couple and their one-year-old son Jack have been told their bone marrow is not suitable for Amy.

Now they are hoping more people will join the bone marrow donor register to save Amy's life and others.

Wendy said: "All people need to do is contact the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and they will be sent a pack to do a simple blood test. The actual procedure of giving bone marrow isn't that painful.

"It is one case where you don't need to give a life to save a life. So many children are waiting for that one person who is the perfect match to give them a chance of life.''

On Sunday, the Hare and Hounds pub, Blackburn, will hold an auction to raise money for the ward at Pendlebury Children's Hospital, where Amy is treated. Amy's cousin, Liz Magnall, works at the Lammack Road pub.

Money from the event will also be donated to the Nick Mallinson Appeal Fund. Nick, of Ontario Close, Blackburn, died in 1995 after a failed bone marrow transplant. The 37-year-old was a Hare and Hounds regular.

The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust can be contacted on 0171 284 1234.

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