5-YEAR-OLD’S LIFE

BY SARAH VESTY BRAVE tot Ava Stark, saved by a stranger’s life-saving bone marrow, has started primary one.

The plucky five-year-old from Lochgelly, Fife, set off for her first day at Lumphinnans Primary Community School with her family by her side.

Ava touched the hearts of thousands after being diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure in April 2016 and her story was reported in the Record.

After a worldwide search, which prompted more than 83,000 to register as potential donors, the youngster found her match and underwent the transplant in December that year.

Ava had the op after chemotherapy to prevent her body from rejecting the donor cells.

It left her immune system compromised – but saved her life. She had been born with a condition which meant she was unable to produce her own blood cells.

Ava, who went on to become the face of a recruitment campaign by charity Anthony Nolan, has gone from strength to strength and can start primary school on time.

Mum Marie yesterday said: “I can’t thank everyone who signed up as donors enough because they helped make this day possible.

“My mum’s been home-schooling Ava since she got ill so she’s going to feel like she’s lost her left arm now Ava’s going to school.

“Ava is so excited but the same rules about germs and things stand.

“The hospital are going to send a nurse to speak to the staff and they’ve all asked for pictures of her first day.”

Anthony Nolan chief executive Henny Braund said: “Ava’s story resonated with a huge number of people, not only in the UK, but around the world.

“By sharing her story, Ava’s family have inspired many to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register to give more patients hope for a second chance of life.”