For many families, the holiday season is a time of joy, anticipation, and cherished traditions. But for two young girls and their loved ones in the UK, this Christmas is marked by uncertainty, hospital stays, and a fight for normalcy in the face of rare, life-altering illnesses. Their stories, though distinct, are bound by resilience, hope, and the unwavering support of family and community.
Four-year-old Sienna Dunion from Kettering was, by all accounts, a vibrant and healthy child. Her parents, Gary and Angelina, recall her infectious laugh, her love for playing with friends, and her caring nature—even when she was under the weather, she would check on her family to make sure they were okay. But everything changed in November 2025, when what began as a simple bout of the flu spiraled into a medical crisis few could have anticipated.
According to The Independent, Sienna’s parents decided to keep her home from school on Monday, November 17, after she developed a rising temperature. Despite feeling chilly, she was still playing with her Barbies, and her parents weren’t overly concerned. But by Wednesday morning, November 19, Sienna became unresponsive. Her mother’s attempt to wake her led to a frantic trip to A&E in Kettering.
Doctors initially suspected dehydration after Sienna tested positive for influenza, but a CT scan revealed anomalies—white lesions on her brain. She was swiftly transferred to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, where an MRI confirmed a diagnosis of Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE), a rare and severe brain disorder. ANE often follows a viral infection, such as the flu or Covid-19, and causes rapid neurological decline. With only a handful of cases reported globally, there’s no established treatment protocol, leaving Sienna’s medical team to devise a tailored plan that included plasma exchange—essentially, an attempt to "wash" her brain.
The following days brought more heartbreak. On Saturday, November 22, an ultrasound revealed large amounts of fluid in Sienna’s stomach. She underwent emergency surgery to remove 60 percent of her intestines—a procedure her father described as "the hardest night" of his life. Two additional surgeries followed after air was discovered in her abdomen. Now, Sienna lives with a stoma bag and will have short bowel syndrome for the rest of her life.
"The one guarantee that doctors have made is that she will not be the same person when she wakes up and will have to go through an extensive rehab," Mr. Dunion told The Independent. Sienna, now awake but unable to track her eyes, eat, or communicate, faces a long and uncertain road. She is expected to be transferred soon to a neurology ward, where she will remain for months, receiving less individual support than in intensive care. Her family, meanwhile, is fundraising for the extensive rehabilitation she will need—physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, feeding support, and home adaptations.
For Sienna’s seven-year-old sister, the ordeal has been especially bewildering. The sisters are "absolute best friends," and the older sibling’s questions—"Where is Sienna, when can we be a family again?"—are met with heartbreaking uncertainty. "I can’t tell her the severity of what’s going on, and that she won’t be able to speak to her sister for a really long time," Mr. Dunion shared. The family clings to memories of Sienna’s laughter and sociable spirit, not knowing if they will ever fully return.
Across the country in London, another family is navigating a different but equally challenging journey. Seven-year-old Zarwa has spent much of her young life in and out of hospitals, battling geleophysic dysplasia—a rare genetic form of dwarfism that affects just over 30 people worldwide. The condition causes a dangerously small airway, making breathing a daily struggle and leading to repeated hospitalizations.
As reported by BBC News, Zarwa has been treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) since 2020 and spent last Christmas there. Despite the clinical setting, the hospital’s charity worked tirelessly to bring some magic to the ward. "The Gosh charity gave Zarwa a really amazing Christmas," her mother, Fahima, recalled. "She went to sleep and woke up to find her ward covered in twinkling lights and decorations. She had a stocking packed with gifts." Zarwa joined in arts and crafts, made snowflakes, and even met the Grinch—her favorite character from a beloved holiday film. "So we can say the Grinch saved Christmas for us," Fahima said.
Zarwa’s early years were marked by recurring chest infections and bronchiolitis. In 2018, doctors discovered a heart murmur and a narrowing of her heart valve, necessitating surgery. Despite multiple operations, her condition has worsened, with new symptoms like stiff fingers and increasing breathlessness. Recently, the family was referred to palliative care—a decision Fahima initially misunderstood as end-of-life care. "They explained to me that, no, it’s somewhere that you get support to make her comfortable and see how everything goes," she explained to BBC News.
Zarwa, who will turn eight on December 22, is described by her mother as "very sassy, very loud, loves singing and dancing," with a passion for music, Disney films, and arts and crafts. She recently decorated a bauble for a Christmas tree at London’s St Pancras station, an event organized in partnership with the Gosh charity. Still, the family doesn’t know if she’ll be home for Christmas this year—a hope they cling to, even as Fahima admits she is doubtful.
The support of the hospital and its charity has been a lifeline. The Gosh charity, according to a spokeswoman, assists 700 seriously ill children every day, funding play teams, chaplaincy services, and accommodation to help families through long hospital stays—services that become even more vital during the festive season.
Both families have found themselves navigating unfamiliar territory—rare diseases, complex medical systems, and the emotional toll of seeing a child suffer. Community support, fundraising, and the dedication of hospital staff have helped, but the uncertainty remains. For the Dunion and Zarwa’s families, Christmas is no longer just about presents or parties; it’s about hope, togetherness, and the small moments of joy that shine through even the darkest times.
As these two girls and their families face the holidays with courage and love, they remind us that the true spirit of the season often emerges not from perfect celebrations, but from resilience, compassion, and the bonds that hold us together in adversity.
