Jesy Nelson celebrates reaching 100000 signatures for SMA1 petition as newborn screening campaign gains momentum in the United Kingdom

Jesy Nelson, former Little Mix star, was seen in tears on Friday after her petition calling for SMA1 screening at birth reached 100,000 signatures.

The milestone means the issue must now be debated in the House of Commons, marking a significant step forward for the campaign she has passionately led.

Jesy, 34, welcomed twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, with ex-partner Zion Foster in May 2025.

The babies were born prematurely and later diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), a devastating neuromuscular condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and severe feeding and breathing difficulties.

Campaigning for Early Screening

SMA1 is a genetic disease that can be detected at birth with a simple heel prick test costing around £1.

Jesy has long argued that earlier detection could have allowed for treatments that might have prevented some of the complications her daughters now face.

On Instagram, Jesy shared footage of herself and friends watching the petition’s signatures climb, culminating in joyous tears and celebrations when it surpassed 100,000.

The total has now risen to over 120,000. She wrote: “Thank you to every single person that took time out of their day to sign this petition… This is the first hurdle but we bloody did it and I truly believe that together we are going to make change!”

Focusing on Her Family Over Music

Jesy has put her music career on hold to prioritize her daughters’ care.

Speaking on Heart FM, she explained: “My girls are my main focus… I really don’t have time [for music].

They are my whole heart and soul, and I want to continue advocating for them and getting this heel prick test changed… that’s my main focus right now.”

Daily life for Jesy and Zion is demanding.

She has described the twins’ medical routines as emotionally overwhelming, often feeling as though she is hurting them despite the procedures being necessary.

“Every day is so full-on… I’ll never be able to explain how intense it is until you see it,” Jesy told the Daily Mail.

Revisiting Life After Little Mix

Jesy has also shared her experiences leaving Little Mix.

In her new Prime Video documentary, Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, she revealed the challenges of abruptly quitting the band following a secret suicide attempt in 2020.

She explained that a legal misstep meant her bandmates heard about her departure from her lawyer before she could tell them herself.

This created tension and a feeling of estrangement.

“I didn’t feel like they were my sisters… it was just like talking to strangers,” she said.

Jesy described the emotional distance that followed and the difficulty of navigating relationships with her former bandmates while prioritizing her mental health.

Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy

SMA is a genetic disease affecting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, resulting in progressive muscle wasting.

Type 1, which affects Jesy’s daughters, is the most severe and evident at birth.

Children with SMA1 cannot sit unaided and may die by age five without intensive care. Other types vary in severity:

• Type 2 prevents standing independently

• Type 3 causes difficulty rising from a sitting position

• Type 4 develops in adulthood with mild symptoms

Early detection through neonatal screening can allow for prompt treatments and supportive care, potentially improving quality of life and outcomes.

What’s Next?

Jesy’s petition will now be debated by MPs in the House of Commons, a crucial step toward potentially adding SMA1 to the standard newborn blood spot test in the UK.

Meanwhile, she will continue to campaign publicly, raise awareness about SMA, and focus on her daughters’ daily care and wellbeing.

The petition’s growing support indicates widespread public backing, increasing pressure on policymakers to act.

Summary

Jesy Nelson, former Little Mix member, broke down in tears as her campaign petition for SMA1 newborn screening reached 100,000 signatures, triggering a mandatory debate in the House of Commons.

Her twin daughters, born prematurely in May 2025, were diagnosed with SMA1, a severe genetic neuromuscular disease.

Jesy has paused her music career to focus on the twins, advocating for early detection through the £1 heel prick test.

She has also opened up about the emotional challenges of her daughters’ care and her estranged relationship with former bandmates.

The petition’s success represents a major milestone in her fight for change in neonatal screening.