THE grandmother of a brave St Johnston boy asked for prayers as the youngster underwent a lifesaving bone morrow transplant in the Netherlands yesterday.

Little Zach McCrossan travelled to the Netherlands last week for treatment for a rare blood disorder.

The four-year-old was diagnosed with high-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare blood disorder that progresses to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Zach’s diagnosis was the second devastating blow to the family after the little boy’s mum, Patrice, was diagnosed with AML last year.

Following an intensive journey of chemotherapy and a bone morrow transplant, the mum of four continues to receive treatment in a bid to stave off her illness progressing.

The community has rallied behind the family, and a major fundraiser initiated by the McCrossan family raised a massive six figure sum in just 24 hours.

The family’s journey to the Netherlands with little Zach will involve up to three months of inpatient treatment for him at the Princess Máxima Centre in Utrecht.

Asking for prayers, his grandmother, Kathleen Rodgers posted on Facebook: “Please pray for my grandson Zach McCrossan today who is having his bone marrow transplant in the Netherlands and for his mammy Patrice as well,” she said.