BRAVE YOUNG GIRL’S FIGHT
Lucy, 9, lost her mother and is now facing cancer battle herself
A YOUNG girl with Anglesey connections, suffering from an inoperable brain tumour, has travelled to Mexico for potentially life-saving treatment after an appeal raised more than £100,000 in weeks – but more money is still needed.
Lucy Moroney was diagnosed last month with Grade 4 Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), and may have only months to live.
Treatment is limited to radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the NHS. But among the alternative treatments, is a course of chemotherapy only available in Mexico – costing £300,000.
With the money raised so far, the nine-year old has travelled with her dad, Joe, originally from Cemaes, Anglesey, from their home in Wirral to the hospital in Mexico.
Tragically, Lucy’s mum, Nicola, died five years ago aged just 33 from a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed condition.
She was pregnant with Ruby, who was born at 24 weeks by Caesarean section while doctors fought to resuscitate her mum, but she lived for just 14 hours.
Writing from Mexico on Facebook, Joe said: “Lucy has had her first intra arterial procedure today in Mexico and is recovering. She was nervous going in but is slowly coming around and cracking jokes.
“We’ll get the results in about 17 days at the next procedure. Fingers crossed it starts to work and we see the tumour shrinking.
“Thanks for the continued support – it is deeply appreciated.”
The online fundraising page was set up by Lucy’s aunt, Paula Newman, who said the family’s “already broken hearts” after Nicola and Ruby’s deaths were “shattered into a million pieces” when Lucy was diagnosed.
She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits we’ve had so much support.”
The tumour, which only affects children, means sufferers gradually lose control of their bodily functions.
The appeal has been named Lucy’s Pineapple Fund, because of her love for the fruit.
A charity quiz night and auction in aid of the fund is being held at the Anglesey Arms, Menai Bridge, on September 1 at 7pm.To find out more, follow @Pineapplefund on Twitter.