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Fund for Lily Rose reaches £4k
Lily Rose - Fundraising family fun day at the Star Inn, Nafferton.
A BRAVE six-year-old girl has been granted Government funding to undergo life-saving treatment in America for a rare brain tumour.
And while she awaits the outcome of further tests before being given the green light for take off her family have thanked everyone who has rallied round to raise funds for the nine week stay.
As reported in last week’s Driffield Times & Post Lily Rose Botham, of Star Hill Road was diagnosed with a brain tumour just days after Christmas.
And after undergoing a 16 hour operation to remove much of the growth and enduring a week in intensive care she has been given a 70% chance of survival if she has proton therapy - a treatment that is only available in the USA.
Lily Rose, who will be accompanied by her mum Tracy, has now been offered a place at the Oklahoma Proton Centre for the intense daily treatment which is a less damaging alternative to the radiotherapy available in the UK.
“I can’t say I relish the thought of staying in a city for nine or more weeks away from my family but I would do anything that would help my daughter have a better outcome in life,” said Tracy, who is also mum to Emily, eight, Rosie, five, and Owen, three.
“It’s a long time to be away from my other children and I am going to miss them so much which is why we hope to have some quality family time when we get back and spoil the other children, they are gonna need it and they deserve it. It has been really hard on them too,” she added.
On Monday Lily Rose underwent a lumbar puncture at Leeds General Infirmary to check for cancer cells in her spine, and will shortly have an MRI scan to see if the tumour has started to grow back yet.
And if all the results look okay then she will be given the go ahead to depart for the States.
While the government funding will cover the costs of the Northfield Infant School pupil’s treatment, accommodation and travel her family have been told that the trip cold cost them as much as £6,000.
But the Driffield community have been quick to show their support with fund-raising events springing up throughout the area taking the current total to over £4,000.
A family fun day at the Star Inn, Nafferton raised £982, a tombola stall at Thursday Market raised £697, and a non-uniform day at Northfield Infant School raised £185.
The Driffield Lions Club have also donated £250 to the family who say they have been overwhelmed with the support.
“I would like to thank everyone who has given to the fund and family members who have helped us out at home too as the constant travelling to Leeds can take its toll,” Tracy said.
“Thanks to Amelia Clarke, Donna Flintoft, Neal and Emma Robson and Paige Denholm for the market stall, Lynne Kardamis and Sonia Cawthorne for arranging the fun day, and all who gave their time for free to help, it was a great day.
“Thank you all so much and thanks to the Macmillan Nurse specialist team who have been amazing,” she added.
Lily Rose and her family have also thanked everyone who are arranging forthcoming events, including a cyclathon at Tesco, on George Street on Friday February 10. Annabelle Jackson is holding a zumba class at the Old Town Hall, Bell Hotel from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Sunday February 12. Admission is £4 on the door and all proceeds will go to Lily Rose.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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