5-Year-Old Diagnosed with Rare Disorder After Parents Noticed Bruising on Her Legs. Then Younger Sister Saved Her Life (Exclusive)

Mom Amanda Meline tells PEOPLE the bond between Emma and her 2-year-old sister has grown so much since Lucy’s life-saving donation

NEED TO KNOW

• On Emma Meline’s 5th birthday this past May, she was able to ring the bell at a children’s hospital in Salt Lake City in celebration of a successful bone marrow transplant
• The little girl had received a life-saving donation from her sister earlier that year
• “She’s realizing that Lucy saved her life and they have that bond,” proud mom Amanda Meline says of the connection between her two kids

A mom of five says she cried “a thousand times” on the day her 5-year-old daughter rang the bell at a children’s hospital in Utah to celebrate a successful bone marrow transplant. Diagnosed with an extremely rare condition, the little girl’s recovery was possible thanks to a life-saving donation from her 2-year-old sister. 

“I just couldn’t believe that we were on the other side of all of the hard things,” says Amanda Meline, 30, of that momentous day in late May, which also happened to be Emma’s fifth birthday.

As a result, the medical team at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City threw her a party to celebrate the start of a bright, new chapter.

After all that her family had been through, Meline says the moment was “surreal.” 

“It was crazy,” says the stay-at-home mom. “It was really relieving.”

Before her daughter’s diagnosis, Meline led a “really normal” — and busy — life raising her five children in Pleasant Grove.

She and her then-husband, Jacob Meline, were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent their days carpooling and setting up playdates for their five young children. Besides Emma, they share daughters Grace, 7, and twins Lucy and Livvy, 2, as well as 1-year-old son William.

“The most exciting thing we would do is go out to our favorite pizza place,” Amanda recalls. “We just lived our lives and we were really happy.”

Just four days before Christmas 2025, the couple, who are now legally separated, noticed that Emma had a rash and some bruising on her legs. When Amanda took her daughter to their pediatrician, he ordered some lab work and was immediately concerned.

“I don’t think it’s leukemia,” Amanda remembers the doctor saying. “I think it’s something else.”

Emma, then just 4 years old, was immediately taken to the hospital and further testing confirmed she had bone marrow failure and severe aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder in which a person’s bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For two months straight, Amanda practically lived at the hospital with Emma, who was scared to be left alone, while Jacob and their families watched the other children. 

Fortunately, on Feb. 17, Emma was able to undergo the bone marrow transplant after the family learned that Lucy was a perfect match to be her big sister’s donor.

“Her favorite thing to say was, ‘I’m being brave for Emma,’ if she had to get blood work done,” says the proud mom. “And it was so tender.”

Although Lucy was able to go home that same night, the process was more difficult for Emma, who underwent rounds of chemotherapy leading up to the surgery and was sad to learn she’d lose her hair.

It helped when her mom reassured her that it would grow back — and in the meantime, she could dye it pink. 

Fortunately, the surgery went well and by March 11, Emma and Amanda were back home in Pleasant Grove.

Now that the first 100 days have passed without complications, the transplant is considered a success and Emma only has to go back to receive a round of treatment once every two weeks.

Still immunocompromised, the 5-year-old girl has to wear a mask when she goes out in public, but a moment of joy came a couple of weeks ago when she was able to go watch Toy Story 5 in a movie theater.

“She was so happy to just be a little kid again,” Amanda remembers.

As she’s navigated her child’s health crisis, Amanda says she has been impressed by Emma’s resilience.

“Honestly, it’s really crazy to see Emma’s mental fortitude,” says Amanda, who adds that the medical crisis has made her baby girl “grow up so much.” 

Another source of comfort has been the support from her family and community. Loved ones have launched a GoFundMe to help cover the exorbitant medical expenses, and on Monday, July 20, a silent auction featuring local food vendors will be held at Grove Station, an event venue in the Melines’ hometown.

“It’s overwhelming, honestly,” says Amanda. “I have so much gratitude for them because you really can’t do something like this alone.” 

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As her young family moves forward, the mom of five is relishing in the small moments and the new bond she’s seen between her two daughters. If Lucy needs help, Emma is the first one to offer assistance. 

“She’s so patient with her,” says Amanda of her 5-year-old daughter.

“She’s realizing that Lucy saved her life and they have that bond,” she adds. “That’s so incredible.”

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