Inspired by her own experience living with a rare immune disorder, 13-year-old Aurelia Reeves, a German national born in the UAE, has launched a fundraising campaign through YallaGive to support children’s treatment programs at Al Jalila Foundation.
Aurelia’s health journey began shortly after birth when she was diagnosed at another healthcare facility with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare condition in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing severe inflammation that can damage the body’s organs. She subsequently underwent a stem cell transplant in Germany before returning to the UAE with her family.
Since 2022, Aurelia has been receiving follow-up care at Dubai Health’s Al Jalila Children’s Hospital.
Having experienced the challenges of living with a rare condition, Aurelia developed a desire to help other children and families facing similar circumstances. She has already donated her hair three times to support children experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment.
Her latest initiative builds on this commitment. Through her fundraising campaign, Aurelia hopes to encourage community members to contribute to children’s treatment programs at Al Jalila Foundation, which plays a vital role in enabling Dubai Health’s vision to advance health for humanity through the integration of Care, Learning, Discovery, and Giving.
Aurelia’s family expressed their appreciation to Al Jalila Foundation for supporting their daughter’s initiative and providing her with an opportunity to give back to the community. They also thanked Al Jalila Children’s Hospital for the multidisciplinary care and ongoing follow-up she has received.
