Upton sister share life-saving bond that runs deeper than blood

UPTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) - For 38 days 7-year-old Sydney Darragh was a patient at Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer Center, but now after a week at home she couldn’t be happier.

Sydney underwent a treatment to cure her rare blood disorder, diamond black fan anemia.

"She was diagnosed with Diamond Black Fan anemia when she was one month old and had a blood transfusion the very next day,” Sydney's mother said.

Every three to four weeks she needed another, but as she got older the transfusions effecting her thyroid and more.

"She started to have symptoms of pre-diabetes caused from the iron overload," her mom said.

So Sydney, her parents, Eddie and Marilyn, and her little sister, 5-year-old Hayden, chose a tough road that could be a cure.

"If this all works she'll never have to have another transfusion ever again,” Eddie said.

But to get there they needed a match, Hayden was a perfect fit.

"They're the same blood type as well which means less issues or complications,” Eddie said.

Sydney underwent 24 chemo treatments to kill her own blood marrow so Hayden's can take over...

"Seeing her get sick you question everything you are doing,” her father said.

But she has made enormous strides.

"They're very happy with her results they said she is doing amazing,” Sydney’s mom said.

Sydney and Hayden are obviously happy, hugs and kisses are quite common, they also got a special gift that helped too.

"It was from Taylor Swift.,” Sydney said. "Some guitar picks, some hair bands, some bracelets."

All in all the Darragh's are keeping hope alive that Sydney will beat her disease and lead a normal life.

Cox Media Group