BRAVE little Ella Wright is preparing for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant – after an agonising three- year wait.

The seven-year-old, from Southport, has been admitted to hospital, and today (Tues Jan 27) will have chemotherapy to destroy her own bone marrow.

She will then be kept in isolation for at least 10 days, before her donor’s healthy bone marrow is transplanted.

Both Ella and her four- year-old brother, Sam, have a rare immune deficiency, and only a successful bone marrow transplant can save their lives.

The two have been on drugs and antibiotics to fight infections and viruses while they have waited for a suitable donor.

Doctors have finally found an overseas donor who is a 90% match for Ella, after years of searching the world’s bone marrow registers.

She is in relatively good health at the moment, giving her the best chance during the operation.

Ella and Sam’s mother, Sally, said: "We are really pleased to have this donor for Ella, and she knows and understands what is going to happen to her. She will be in hospital for weeks and weeks and we will be doing a lot of travelling to see her."

It is hoped a suitable donor can be found for Sam also, but could use Ella’s donor if the transplant is successful.

They will find out whether the operation has been successful after a 94- day rejection period.