A rash on a little girl’s leg turned into something her family never saw coming.
Emma Meline, 5, from Salt Lake City, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia after her mother, Amanda Meline, took her to the pediatrician because of a rash and swelling on her leg. It was four days before Christmas 2025 when Amanda Meline and her then-husband, Jacob, noticed the symptoms.
The pediatrician ordered lab tests. Amanda Meline said the doctor told them the good news was that it was not leukemia. The bad news was that Emma had aplastic anemia, a rare disease in which bone marrow tissue stops making blood cells.
In Emma’s case, she needed a bone marrow transplant. One of her 2-year-old twin younger sisters, Lucy, was found to be a perfect genetic match, meaning doctors could transplant her bone marrow without worrying about rejection.
It took two months to schedule the operation. During that time, Amanda Meline and Emma spent much of their time at the hospital because Emma was scared to be left alone. Lucy also had repeated blood tests.
“[Lucy’s] favorite thing to say was, ‘I’m being brave for Emma,’ if she had to get blood work done,” Meline said. “And it was so tender.”
Before the February 17 procedure, Emma underwent targeted chemotherapy to destroy her bone marrow tissue and make room for the transplant. The transplant was a complete success, and Amanda Meline and Emma returned home on March 11 for a gradual recovery.
Emma still needs special sanitary precautions because she is immunocompromised. But 100 days after the operation, with no recurrence of the aplastic anemia, the transplant has been considered a complete success.
Months later, Amanda Meline said the sisters now share an even deeper bond.
“She’s realizing that Lucy saved her life and they have that bond,” she exclusively told People. “That’s so incredible.”
“Honestly, it’s really crazy to see Emma’s mental fortitude,” says Meline, who added the ordeal has forced her daughter to grow up fast.
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