Ottawa girl with rare blood disorder in remission
An Ottawa girl with a rare disorder says she is now in remission.
Hillary McKibbin, 7, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in 2019. It's a rare blood disorder that prevents her body from producing enough new blood cells.
She and her mom Kelly McKibbin have become tireless advocates for stem cell donations in the time since Hillary's diagnosis, hosting swabbing clinics before the pandemic and launching a campaign to encourage teenagers to participate in the process to earn community service hours toward their high school diplomas.
McKibbin said on Twitter Friday evening that, after battling her condition for two years, she was finally in remission.
"My blood is finally normal," she wrote. "I couldn’t have done it without Mom. This was our fight. Thanks for supporting us."
A second tweet on Saturday morning thanked everyone who followed McKibbin on her journey.
"To all who hoped & prayed for my blood levels to rise — it worked. You sent me right into remission! Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Thanks. I’ll cherish our friendships forever," McKibbin said.
In a blog post on her website, Kelly McKibbin said there is still a long road ahead.
"We have a virtual follow-up appointment with the hematology team at CHEO on Wednesday to discuss next steps. I hope they say it’s time to ring that remission bell. They may want her for additional testing. Her headaches persist — but I’m inclined to conclude they precede blood growth. Her shin pain used to always precede platelet growth," Kelly McKibbin wrote.
McKibbin vowed that she would continue to be an advocate for stem cell and blood donations through Canadian Blood Services
"I couldn’t wait until next week to share the news with all of you. Hillary’s victory over this rare disorder is a victory for all of us," Kelly McKibbin said.
"[F]or now, we have to stay focussed on her wellness. Remain vigilant. Get those numbers up a bit more and try to stay out of the hospital. She’s still in recovery and I’m not giving up now. This journey is not over."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.