A remarkable young girl from Ellesmere Port is recovering from a major operation that will hopefully save her older sister’s life.

Inspirational Ellie Butler, who is only eight-years-old, made an exceptionally brave decision to donate her bone marrow to her 11-year-old sister Demi, who has acute myeloid leukaemia.

Demi’s only hope of survival was to have a bone marrow transplant, and astonishingly, her younger sister was a match.

Ellie joined Demi at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital yesterday (October 2) before undergoing an hour long operation this morning (October 3) which involved taking healthy bone marrow from her tissue.

The two sisters will undoubtedly share an unbreakable bond for the rest of their lives after Ellie’s bone marrow was transferred into Demi’s body today.

The girls will now share the same DNA forever following the transplant which took around half an hour to complete.

Sisters, Ellie and Demi Butler will undoubtedly share an unbreakable bond for the rest of their lives

Ellie, who pressed the button to begin the process, said: “I was feeling petrified this morning and would not let go of my mum and Wayne’s hand.

“I cried before my operation because I was scared.

“When they took the needles out of my hands, I had a big needle in each hand.

“I feel tired and sore now but I have got lots of presents so I am happy.

“I was really excited to press the button to start my bone marrow going into Demi.”

Ellie and Demi’s uncle Darren Butler said the whole family are ‘very excited’.

Ellies bone marrow began transferring into sister Demis body today (November 3)
Ellie's bone marrow began transferring into sister Demis body today (November 3)

“We could not be more proud of Ellie for doing what she has done,” he said.

“Today is all about Demi and Ellie, where life begins and their love will never end.

“Demi is in very high spirits and still smiling as always.

“Once the transplant is over, Demi will officially be re-born.”

Over the last nine days, Demi has undergone intensive chemotherapy treatment ahead of today’s vital transplant.

Cells taken from Ellie’s body were sent to a laboratory shortly after the operation and were formulated with other vital cells before they were transferred into Demi’s body.

Her family, who were all stood by her side, watched the process of Ellie’s cells, that will hopefully cure the cancer, enter her body.

The brave schoolgirl will now remain in isolation with her grandmother, Nan Anna, until December 19 as part of the transplant process.

Sam Butler, Ellie and Demi’s mum, said she is ‘so proud’ of her two daughters.

“I’m so so proud of what Ellie has done, I’m so glad it is all over for her.

“I’m excited but also very emotional at the thought of watching Demi receive her transplant, it’s a long road of recovery but I’m so proud of both my girls.

“I have an amazing feeling we’re getting closer to having her home.”