Family’s plea to help brave daughter Milly battle life-threatening tumour
Pictures by Linda Dawson
THE family of an eight-year-old girl with a brain tumour, is appealing for help as she prepares for vital surgery in her fight for survival.
Milly Adkins was diagnosed with the tumour in 2007, when she was four years old.
After initial surgery and treatment she was in remission until the end of last month, when her family was given the devastating news the tumour had grown to its original size and was now life-threatening.
The family faces a turbulent few months, during which Milly, who lives with her parents, Sam and Alex, and younger brother Max, in Daventry, will face more surgery aimed at giving her and her family more time together.
And they are appealing for the public to help them face the financial challenges ahead.
Milly’s dad, Sam, is a self-employed plasterer, and the family has only recently recovered from the financial chaos resulting from his loss of earnings during Milly’s initial treatment.
With an uncertain time ahead, the family is desperate to avoid the chaos of debt, and be able to spend quality time with their daughter.
They said: “We have never had to write a ‘begging’ letter before, but it is time to swallow our pride and do whatever is needed to be able to make good decisions and give Milly the happiest life possible.
“If Milly undergoes surgery in the next few weeks there will be lots of costs involved with caring for her and her developing needs.
“There is a huge fear of the unknown, and we are taking great strength in being able to be together as a family at this time.
“We know there are many charities and pleas for help out there, but we want only to give our daughter the best chance of living in the best possible way.”
After Milly’s initial diagnosis in 2007, surgeons managed to reduce the growth from the size of a tennis ball to the size of a golf ball, but the operation left her blind in one eye, and she suffered a stroke post-operatively.
After an intensive 18-month course of chemotherapy, Milly and her family were able to resume a fairly normal life, until the news earlier this year that the tumour had recurred.
Initially, the family hoped to send Milly to America for Proton Beam Therapy, but they were told by doctors earlier this month she was not a viable candidate for the cutting edge treatment as the tumour is too large.
They were informed the tumour could take Milly’s life in three to six months, with the only chance being surgery to reduce its size that could give the family more time and treatment options.
But it is also very risky, potentially resulting in significant complications.
Anyone who can help the family financially during Milly’s treatment is asked to call Northampton 585810, email helpingmilly@gmail.com or visit the website www.helping-milly.co.uk, where they can donate to the family.
n The family has requested that anyone who speaks to them about Milly avoids saying anything in her presence about her situation, in case it frightens her.
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Tinkerbell294
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:19 PMIve just tried it http:www.helping-milly.co.uk and it works fine
JUSTMYOPINION
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:00 PMI can't get the website up either...nor using the one posted by Dunners1 .....please clarify :(
Dunners1
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:54 AMTheres a space there that should not be - its: www.helping-milly.co.uk
LaurieCunningham
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:44 AMDear Chron, Can you double check the website address please.
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