Margot was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia last October, at just 14 months old.
In a statement on the Team Margot blog yesterday, Yaser and his family wrote: “At 10:24 this morning, our dear little daughter, Margot passed away at home. She died peacefully and was surrounded by those who love her. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Margot underwent a bone marrow transplant in February after a suitable stem cell donor match was found. However, on Sunday, Yaser wrote that Margot’s condition had “deteriorated significantly over the past couple of days” and she was “in a very poor and fragile state”.
Team Margot
Team Margot was established to raise awareness of her battle and the need for more stem cell donor recruits.
Within six weeks of Team Margot’s donor appeal last Christmas, Delete Blood Cancer UK received over 50,000 requests for swab kits in the UK, with more than 12,000 people in the licensed trade registering their interest.
As a result, statistically there will be over 500 people who will now have the option of a donor match that could potentially save their life.
Tribute
Delete Blood Cancer said: “Everyone at Delete Blood Cancer UK is heartbroken at the news of the passing of Margot Martini, and we offer our condolences to her family and all her friends.
“We got to know Margot's family shortly after her diagnosis, when we supported the appeal they launched to find a matching blood stem cell donor for Margot and all those seeking a matching donor.
“Their dedication and devotion to their beautiful little girl’s appeal touched so many hearts and led to tens of thousands of people registering as potential lifesavers. This will lead to many donors being found and lives being saved for decades to come.
“This incredible response, and their work to help all those seeking a lifesaving blood stem cell donation, has a very, very special legacy.”