Campaign starts to raise cash for Skelmersdale baby diagnosed with aggressive cancer to fly to America for treatment

Feb 28 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help send a 20-month-old baby girl diagnosed with aggressive cancer to America to receive special care.

Last week the Advertiser revealed the heartbreaking story of little Millie Heaton.

The tot fell ill four weeks ago and was initially diagnosed with an ear infection by doctors.

But as her condition deteriorated her eyes became black and swollen and her parents Lyndsay and Michael rushed her to Alder Hey hospital.

After a series of tests they were given the devastating news she had stage four neuroblastoma – a form of cancer.

The tumour had started in her stomach and spread through her bone marrow into her skull.

Now Millie’s mum Lyndsay has revealed she is hoping to raise enough money to pay for the youngster to fly out to America once she is in partial remission for immunotherapy treatment not available on the NHS.

The 25-year-old said: “Millie is so much better than when she started chemotherapy. Her face had swollen and her eyes went black but the swelling has gone right down.

“She’s gone from strength to strength but we won’t know how effective it has been until she goes for further tests on March 13.

“We’ve been in touch with a charity who specialise in neuroblastoma and they have told us about a treatment in America called immunotherapy.

“It’s not available on the NHS but once Millie is in partial remission, hopefully in about 10 months, we’ve been told this treatment can reduce the risk of the cancer returning by about 25%. “Apparently this type of cancer is known to come back within two years and it would give her a better chance.

“But we would need to raise between £250,000 and £500,000 so right now we are spreading awareness and seeing what we can do.

“It’s been like living a bad dream and it doesn’t feel real but we’ve been overwhelmed by the support, we can’t thank people enough. Every penny raised is a step closer to getting Millie treatment not available on the NHS.”

A series of fundraisers took place over the weekend including a charity football match and a childrens’ fun day.

A Passionate Pink Skem Walk for Millie will take place on March 23 and a band night at the Comrades is organised for March 29. Southport RUFC is supporting a sponsored skip for Millie at their ground, Waterloo Road, on March 9.

A justgiving site for Millie has been set up, visit: bit.ly/WqWbju

To follow the blog of Millie’s progress on Facebook, visit: on.fb.me/13jmlw4