Laura said the gesture is "why we are called the People's Club"
Ronnie, from Wirral, was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder aplastic anaemia just before his first birthday
Ronnie, from Wirral, was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder aplastic anaemia just before his first birthday(Image: UGC)
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A mum broke down in tears after receiving an unexpected email from Everton FC backing a life-saving campaign for her baby son. Laura, 30, from Wirral, said the message from the club came after she launched a desperate appeal to find a stem cell donor for her son Ronnie, who was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood condition just before his first birthday.
Ronnie was found to have severe aplastic anaemia, a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. His only hope of a cure is a stem cell transplant.
Following an emotional Merseyside derby weekend, Laura told how Everton threw their support behind the 'Register4Ronnie' campaign, helping raise awareness among thousands of fans.
Laura told the ECHO: "When we received the email from Adam at Everton, I cried, and this was because you think of how many requests they must get, but they were willing to work with Anthony Nolan on Ronnie's campaign.
"They also helped raise awareness of the stem cell register on the biggest day of the sporting calendar in Liverpool, the Merseyside derby.
"As a lifelong Everton fan, when Ronnie is old enough to be told his own story, it won't just be filled with hospital visits. Because of Everton, there will now be something incredibly special to tell him: a moment of pride, a moment of kindness and a moment where a city and its football teams and their fans, blue or red, stood behind him."
Ronnie on the big screen at the Merseyside derby on Sunday
Ronnie on the big screen at the Merseyside derby on Sunday(Image: UGC)
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Supporters aged 16 to 30 attending last Sunday's derby were encouraged to sign up to the stem cell register, potentially becoming a match for Ronnie or others in need of a transplant.
Laura said the day itself was overwhelming, with Ronnie's story shared across the stadium, matchday programme and club channels.
She added: "It was a very emotional day seeing him on the big screens, on the club's website and hearing the stadium announcer talking about Ronnie's story.
"Everton gave us tickets for the game, so it meant his older brother could have a special day out and a day of having just my full attention. It's a day we will never forget."
Despite the challenges, Laura said Ronnie is making progress thanks to ongoing treatment.
She said: "Ronnie is doing well. Looking back at photos of him when he first went in and looking at him now, he is starting to look like the Ronnie we know.
"This is all down to the transfusions he is getting at Alder Hey. He's had coming up to four weeks at home with no infections or required hospital stays, just hospital appointments."
Ronnie and his older brother
Ronnie and his older brother
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However, life remains far from normal. Ronnie is also living with neutropenia, meaning he is highly vulnerable to infections and must avoid everyday activities most children take for granted.
Laura said: "The hardest part is how much Ronnie is missing out on things. We had Disneyland booked for next month, which we've now had to cancel.
"Not being able to take him to normal places like soft play, swimming or even the derby game yesterday - which has always been a dream of mine - we feel we are depriving him of normal childhood experiences.
"Pretty much our days are either spent in hospital or at home keeping him safe."
The family has been working with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to encourage more young people to join the stem cell donor register.
The family are huge Everton fans
The family are huge Everton fans(Image: UGC)
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Laura hopes Everton's backing will have a lasting impact.
She said: "It means the absolute world, and we are forever grateful to Everton and our fan base. This is why we are called the People's Club.
"We also have to give credit to Liverpool supporters who have sent their well wishes and helped share his story. We didn't get the result we wanted, but we got the win we needed - more awareness of the stem cell register which hopefully saves lives.”
She added that many people are still unaware of how simple the process is.
"Signing up is so simple, and it is a simple action that can offer someone like Ronnie a second chance at life," she said.
"There is a 1 in 800 chance you are called up to donate.
"Our main hope is that he finds his perfect match and gets to live the life he was meant to live.
"And when that happens, I know I won't stop campaigning for people to join the register. [I also hope] we'll finally be able to take him to an Everton game and Disneyland."