Thousands raised for tragic Laia given months to live
THE dad of a seven-year-old Wishaw girl given just months to live has been left “lost for words” after thousands of pounds was raised for her bucket list.
Last night we told of Lee Jenkin’s heartache after his little girl Laia was diagnosed with a brain tumour just four days after her birthday.
An MRI scan found the adorable schoolgirl had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – a rare tumour that has an average survival time of nine months from diagnosis.
Despite the devastating news, 43-year-old Lee has tried to remain positive – “to make thing seem normal” for Laia.
A family friend set up a fundraiser to try and make the most of her precious time remaining.
Following our story on the Evening Times yesterday, the donation total has risen from £2000 to nearly £9000.
More than 400 people, many of them who the family have never met, have put their hands in their pockets to help.
“It’s amazing, I honestly can’t believe it,” said Lee.
He added: “I don’t know how to put into words how much I appreciate what people have done for us.
“They have made us hopeful and that has been passed on to Laia – it’s had such a good impact already.
“It’s really got us in a positive mood and we can see that’s having an impact on Laia. We’re all feeling very positive.”
Lee says that when his friend set up the fundraiser, promising to hit the target for Laia’s “bucket list” – including trips to Disney World and riding a pony – he was sceptical they would reach it.
But now that it’s smashed past £8000, Lee has praised the “unbelievable” support.
He added: “Not only the donations but we’ve had lots of offers from people to do things – like to get Laia to ride a pony and things like that.
“We’ve had a lot of messages of support.
“Away from the fundraiser Laia has had a really good day, she’s been in good spirits and had a great night last night – so that’s great.
“It’s just great that people are talking about it.”
Laia’s mum Lorna, and three sisters – Ellie, Chloe and Shannon – are all said to be “putting on a brave face”, but Lee knows it is causing them a lot of distress.
The devastated dad described his heartache at knowing his daughter will likely not live to see her next birthday after the diagnosis.
At first, medics thought her out-of-sorts behaviour, like her like of balance, was down to an ear infection.
But as her condition deteriorated, she was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where they were dealt the devastating news.
Her dad added: “You just don’t expect it.
“It’s very difficult. I’ve went through anger, panic and hopelessness. Just hopelessness.
“I broke down, it was devastating. But you go into another mode – you need to make her as happy as possible, so you need to make things seem normal.
“Laia’s more concerned about people being upset.”
Lee continued: “She’s only seven-years-old. She’s just my little baby.
“She’s aware that she has a lump in her head, but she thinks she’s going to get better.
“She was looking at old pictures and saying how she wants to go back to school – she wants to be normal again.
“But she’s still smiling, her character is still there.”
You can view the fundraiser online by searching https:// bit.ly/2lnHjv1 in your internet browser.