'A gift that means everything' – Midland toddler receives life-saving transplant

A girl from Midland has received a stem cell transplant that saved her life and is a big step on a long journey.

Robin Neville-Quinn, from Portarlington, Laois, has Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare genetic immunodeficiency disorder in which a child's immune system does not function properly. It also makes it difficult for the child's bone marrow to produce platelets, making them more likely to bleed.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome primarily affects boys, so it is very rare for little robins to be diagnosed with this condition. One in a billion.

Robyn has faced a number of health issues since birth and her family has been struggling financially, so they set up a GoFundMe which has so far raised around €30,000.

In an update on their donation page, Robyn's family shared the amazing news that the brave girl is showing “incredible strength” after she received a life-saving transplant.
The update says,

“Hey guys,

“Robin has now undergone two blood transfusions and a life-saving stem cell transplant, the first on 10/01/25 and the second today. This is a huge step forward in her journey.”

“We are infinitely grateful to our donors who made this possible. This is a gift that means everything to us.

“The past week has been incredibly tough. Robin endured eight days of intense chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant and is already feeling the effects. She is tired and in discomfort. “I feel it and I know that my hair will start falling out soon. It's a harsh reality to face.”

“Despite all of this, Robin continues to show incredible strength.

“Now begins a critical waiting period in which we hope her body will accept the new stem cells and start functioning. There is still a long way to go and we are working on it every day.

“As Robin enters the next stage of her recovery, please remember her.”

You can donate to Robyn's GoFundMe here