Poulton entrepreneur given just 3 weeks to live aged 11 becomes an ambassador for The Aplastic Anaemia Trust

A Poulton businesswoman given just three weeks to live at the age of 11 is using her experience to help others.

Entrepreneur Elizabeth McQuillan has become an ambassador for The Aplastic Anaemia Trust, backing research into treatments that could help patients who cannot have a bone marrow transplant.

Elizabeth collapsed while performing in a stage school show and was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare, life-threatening disorder in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.

Her survival depended on an urgent transplant. With only three weeks to live, she could not wait for a donor to be found through the register. Then came the lifesaving discovery: her sister was a match and donated the marrow that saved her life.

Months in hospital isolation and a year of recovery followed. Her gratitude for her sister’s gift, and her determination to enjoy the life she had nearly lost, have stayed with her.

Elizabeth, the founder of Flamingo Business and the Flamingo Business Awards, said: “My sister gave me the chance to grow up, become a mother and build a life I love. I will never forget how fortunate I was that she was a match. For people who cannot have a transplant, the search for new treatments is deeply personal. I want to use my voice to help fund that research and give more families hope for the future.”

Now the mother-of-two is using her ambassador role to champion more treatment options.

The Trust and LifeArc co-fund the TIARA trial, led by King’s College Hospital and King’s College London. It is investigating a potential alternative to transplantation using patients’ own regulatory T cells, known as Tregs.

These immune cells are collected, grown in a laboratory and infused back into the patient to help control the immune attack on bone marrow.

Early findings are encouraging: some participants have experienced periods without blood transfusions. The research is still at an early stage, and further trials are needed to establish how effective the treatment is. The Trust is seeking funding for the next phase of research and further clinical trials.

Stem cell transplantation can offer a cure but requires a suitable donor and is not an option for everyone.

Immune-suppressing medicines can also work, although some patients do not respond. Research using patients’ own cells could expand treatment options.

Elizabeth will bring the appeal to her Flamingo Business Awards at Viva Blackpool on November 26, where the Trust will feature. The event will kick-start a Blackpool and Fylde Coast drive for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, with an invitation to businesses and supporters to get involved.

The national Christmas Challenge runs from midday on December 1 to midday on December 8, 2026. Eligible donations through participating charities’ Big Give campaign pages can be doubled while match funding remains available.

Ellie Dawes, Deputy Chief Executive & Head of Fundraising at The Aplastic Anaemia Trust, said: “Aplastic anaemia is a rare and serious bone marrow failure that transforms the lives of families unlucky enough to receive a diagnosis. Thanks to research funded by our community’s incredible fundraising, treatment has improved significantly - even in the twenty years since Elizabeth was diagnosed. But these treatment options are still extremely limited.

“We are so excited to work with Elizabeth to raise funds and secure the future of aplastic anaemia research in the UK. 

”The local drive will build momentum ahead of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

“Thank you so much Elizabeth for your partnership and support.”

For more information or to get involved visit here.