A nine-year-old girl, living in Viana do Castelo, once again had reasons to believe in the future after finding a compatible donor for a bone marrow transplant. Lorena, diagnosed with a rare and serious disease, has already undergone the procedure that could save her life.
The story was made public by Pedro Chagas Freitas, who followed the case closely and used social media to raise awareness among thousands of people about the urgency of the situation. The appeal did not fall into place. An Italian donor, with no connection to the child or family, came forward voluntarily and ended up being a match.
According to the writer, the gesture represents much more than a simple medical act. In an emotional testimony, he highlighted the importance of not turning a blind eye to the suffering of others and highlighted that, in a world so often marked by indifference, someone chose to act. It was this decision that allowed the transplant to become a reality.
Lorena turned nine in August, a few days after being diagnosed with spinal cord aplasia, a disease that prevents the bone marrow from producing cells essential to life. The birthday party was cancelled, leading to prolonged hospitalizations, frequent transfusions and a harrowing wait for a compatible donor. Each day was lived with external help, in a silent fight for survival.
The transplant has already been carried out and, although medicine does not offer absolute guarantees, this step represents a decisive change. It is the moment when hope stops being just a wish and starts to have a real basis.
