The Aplastic Anaemia Trust

About us The Aplastic Anaemia Trust is the only UK charity providing information, advice and support to people affected by rare disease Aplastic Anaemia. Our vision is that everyone affected by Aplastic Anaemia in the UK should feel empowered and have access to the best possible treatment, care and support so they can lead full and healthy lives. We support our community through one of life’s toughest challenges – diagnosis with a rare bone marrow failure. We currently support around 1,400 people and have around 50 volunteers. In this rare and life-threatening disease, the bone marrow fails to produce healthy levels of our blood cells. Aplastic Anaemia can affect people at any age. However, children, young people, and people aged 60 and above are most vulnerable. In the UK, around 150 people are diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia every year. It can be inherited or caused by an autoimmune reaction Recently, several cases of Aplastic Anaemia have been confirmed to be as a result of a Covid-19 infection. However, in many cases the causes are as yet unknown. Aplastic Anaemia has a serious and long-term impact on a person’s life and health. Symptoms include extreme tiredness, frequent infections, bruising and bleeding. In very severe cases it can be life-limiting. Diagnosis usually involves a bone marrow biopsy, which many people find traumatic. Treatments can be aggressive and include blood transfusions, drugs, immune-suppressive treatment, and stem cell transplant. In some cases, people – especially children – will need a Bone Marrow Transplant to be cured. Hospital appointments, tests and treatments can span years. Our aims Our aim is for people affected by Aplastic Anaemia to have better treatment, better information and better networks.