Four-year-old Dianty da Silva is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia for the second time and now urgently requires a bone marrow transplant.

She was first diagnosed in September last year and went into remission a month later. Sadly, the cancer has returned, and since May, the Da Silva family has been fighting to keep Dianty healthy.

Doctors have now advised her mother, Dina, that a bone marrow transplant is the most hopeful option for Dianty to make a full recovery. But the family faces two major challenges: the high financial cost and the difficulty of finding a suitable donor.

“Dianty’s illness has drastically changed our daily lives. As a family, we learned to accept a new normal and adapt every day. The hardest part is witnessing her pain and suffering and knowing we can’t take it away from her. Seeing her miss her childhood, school and playing with her friends breaks our hearts. The uncertainty of what each new day may bring is also a great burden. But in the midst of it all, she teaches us every day about courage, hope and unconditional love,” Dina said.

Despite her illness, Dianty continues to inspire those around her with her love for people, dancing and friends.

“She handles her situation with a courage that inspires adults – far beyond what a little girl should bear. Cancer has not broken her spirit. Of course, some days weigh heavily and are more difficult, but even then she remains a light,” Dina said.

Her greatest hope is that one day Dianty will be able to enjoy her childhood fully, without the burden of illness.

The family has also been deeply moved by the support they have received.

“The army she has behind her is unimaginably big,” Dina said.

To other families facing similar struggles, Dina offered words of encouragement:

“There will be hard days, but remember to cherish the little moments of joy. Take each day one step at a time, be gentle with yourself. You are not alone, and even in the darkest times, there is light and hope to be found.”

Now Dina is appealing to the community to help find a donor match that could save her daughter’s life.

“It is one of the most precious gifts you can ever give another person. Yes, it takes courage, but it also brings an immeasurable blessing: the knowledge that your willingness can light the way in someone’s darkest hour. If you make this decision, please be 100% sure that you will go through with it,” she said.

*Residents who wish to register as donors can do so at 102 Kenneth Road, Greenhills on 6 September.

*This article was amended after publication. It previously stated that anyone wishing to contribute to Dianty’s transplant journey should contact Dina. The mother has since requested that a specific location be provided instead — Ed.