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| Blind Megan Off to China Hoping for A Miracle Cure |
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| Optic Nerve Hypoplasia | |||
| Saturday, 17 January 2009 10:16 | |||
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Source: Belfast Telegraph By Claire McNeilly A brave Northern Ireland girl is getting ready to fly to China for miracle treatment which could help her see for the very first time. Six-year-old Megan Traynor was born with Septo-optic Dysplasia (SOD), a debilitating, rare, congenital brain condition that has left her with a multitude of problems, including a lack of vision. Last April, the Belfast Telegraph first highlighted the plight of her parents Leanne (25) and Stuart (28), who needed to raise £30,000 to send their daughter to the Far East for revolutionary stem-cell injections. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, Megan’s mum Leanne — who gave birth to a second daughter, Hannah, last May — told of her delight at finally being able to bring their dream one step closer to reality. “Megan and her daddy are going to China at the end of this month,” she said. “Initially we had a wee problem in that the treatment was supposed to cost £15,000 but that increased to £21,000 because of the credit crunch and its effects on the sterling/dollar exchange rate, but thankfully we managed to raise enough in the end. “And instead of staying in a hotel during treatment, the hospital is going to allow Stuart to stay there for 40 days, which has helped.” Moved by Megan’s illness, generous Belfast Telegraph readers contributed thousands of pounds towards the Traynors’ treatment fund over the past year, which will help cover the costs of a course of stem cell injections, travel and interpreter costs. Leanne, who suffered from post-natal depression following Hannah’s birth, explained the difficulties that lie ahead. “I’m very nervous and quite stressed about the treatment, but I’m also excited for Megan,” she said. Although Beike Technolo gies — the southern Chinese body responsible for developing the controversial stem cell treatment — confirmed that Megan’s treatment can begin this month, Leanne said she knows there are no guarantees that it will give her eldest daughter the gift of sight. “I’m feeling very positive that it will have the desired effect, but if we don’t get anything out of it, at least we’ve tried,” she said. “I don’t want to look back in 10 years time and think ‘could have, should have, would have’. The west Belfast woman said she was indebted to those who have donated money and helped fund the potentially life-changing treatment. “We would like to thank everyone who has helped us,” she said. “Individuals and businesses, including (greeting card retailer) CardLand and (clothes shop) Bon Marche. I would also say a special thanks to Celia Maxwell who raised thousands of pounds.” Newtownabbey toddler Dakota Clarke (2), who suffers from the same disorder, is also to receive treatment in China in February. The Sunday Life, our sister paper, helped her parents, Wilma and Darren, raise awareness to fund the trip, which they hope will improve Dakota’s eyesight. And the parents of five-month-old Gretta Kieran Cullen, from Co Louth, are appealing for fundraising help, as their daughter also suffers from SOD. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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