A LOCHGELLY mum is appealing for more people to take a simple swab test that could help save her daughter's life.

Marie Stark said three-year-old Ava needs a transplant to survive a very rare blood disease but there's a shortage of donors.

The family were left heartbroken when a potential match pulled out recently.

Marie, 33, said: "The only way she will survive is if she gets a bone marrow donor but the worldwide Anthony Nolan registry for 50 countries only holds 500,000 people.

"This is a disease which rips families apart and yet no-one seems to know much about it or how to donate.

"I need to get more people registered. It can save not just Ava but other people's lives too."

Ava was diagnosed with Inherited bone marrow failure and is at higher risk of developing cancer or leukaemia.

Marie, of Sunnyside Place, explained: "In her body the cells needed to produce blood are faulty.

"She doesn't produce enough red cells, which takes oxygen round the body, or platelets, which triggers clotting and stops you bleeding to death when you get a cut, or white cells, which means she can't fight off any infections."

Life is tough enough as Marie's other child, Adam, 14, suffered brain damage after he was hit by a car on Cowdenbeath High Street in 2012.

She has received amazing support and help from her mum, Agnes Sutherland, who helps look after Ava.

Marie said: "I can't describe how hard it is, looking at Ava and knowing I can't do anything.

"I have to keep acting like everything is normal.

"Right now she's fine, she's happy, she wants to play and get up to mischief but she can't really go out which is such a shame.

"With her white cells so low, she can't go to nursery anymore or the park or Asda, I have to wash her hands all the time as you have to think everything could be a germ.

"I took her to the pictures but had to go late at night when it wasn't busy."

Ava had always struggled with tummy bugs, colds and viral infections.

A blood test would have revealed low blood counts and triggered further investigation but doctors always said she'd be fine.

That changed on March 30 when, in the middle of the night, Ava brought up a clot from her nose.

Marie, who works as a customer advisor for Eurocar in Edinburgh, recalled: "I managed to get an emergency appointment for the afternoon, dropped her at my mum's in the morning and went to work.

"She called me at 10.30am to say she couldn't wait, and while we were on the phone Ava started bleeding from her nose and was being sick, but it was blood.

"Mum started screaming for help and put the phone down and I just bolted from my work, I can't even remember what I said as I left."

She continued: "I was in hospital googling and ordering books off Ebay to try and find out what it could be.

"I knew the worst case was Inherited Bone Marrow Failure. And it was."

Ava receives weekly blood and platelet transfusions but needs a donor and a match can be found with a simple test.

The Anthony Nolan register matches donors with people who desperately need lifesaving transplants.

Marie explained: "It only takes two weeks for them to send a pack, it's a swab of the cheek and that's it.

"You're on the registry and if there's a match they contact you to see if you're willing to donate bone marrow."

To find out more and to join the register go to www.anthonynolan.org