On Sunday, Nairobi Governor Sonko responded to a desperate call of a young girl who had penned down a poem for first Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
The girl from Makueni suffers from Plastic Anaemia.
Here are facts about the disease.
The disease occurs when the body ceases producing enough blood cells. The disease is most common in teenagers below the ages of 20 although it mostly affects older people.
The disease has no specific cause and is also not genetic. It, however, has a number of factors that can increase one's chances of developing the disease.
According to Mayo Clinic, exposure to toxic chemicals, exposure to radiation especially cancer treatment therapies may cause the condition and use of certain drugs including antibiotics can result in the disease.
Symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath, increased infection attacks, nose and gum bleeding and irregular heart rate.
The survival rate of plastic anaemia is 80 per cent if treated early, cites by the cancer registry.
According to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the disease is associated with cancer and its treatment but it’s not a type of cancer.
Available treatment methods include medication and stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is the recommended treatment for patients with a severe condition.
It is important to note that the disease can be fatal if one does not seek early medical attention.