A MUSGRAVE family has embarked on a determined fundraising drive to cover medical bills for their five-year-old daughter who has been diagnosed with a rare and highly aggressive brain tumour.
Ariella Cocorozis, an only child, is a spunky and vivacious young girl who loves singing, dancing and Havaiana.
A day after her fifth birthday she was admitted to hospital.
“Our worst nightmare came true when our angel was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and highly aggressive brain tumour found in an area of the brainstem which controls many of the body’s most vital functions such as breathing and heart rate,” said mum, Emelia.
Unfortunately there is currently no known cure, and most children only survive for approximately nine months after diagnosis and only 10 per cent survive for longer than two years.
The symptoms of DIPG develop very rapidly and include problems controlling eye movements, speech, swallowing, walking and coordination.
Ariella is currently at Parklands Hospital under the care of Dr Jai Reddy.
Emelia said since Ariella’s diagnosis there had been an increase in symptoms, but despite multiple doctors’ appointments, scans and injections, as well as current radiation, the five-year-old had lost none of her shine.
“Ariella’s ability to light up a room with her joy, humour and intellect is indescribable and has found her way into the hearts of all who meet her,” she said.
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Despite her daughter’s resilience, Emelia said she was shattered by the diagnosis.
“The pain is indescribable. I go to sleep in hope I will wake from this bad dream. My little girl, my life. This is very difficult. I am overwhelmed by the beautiful messages and unfailing support from the community. Words cannot express how much this helps and supports me emotionally. Ariella has completed her 11th treatment of radiation. She is an active, articulate and bright little girl who loves dancing and is full of fun. Now she is confined to a bed and cannot express herself, so she is frustrated and angry at times but her spark prevails. Today she asked the paediatrician to please note that she be allowed a crunchie a day!”
The family needs to raise funds for her treatment, any medical shortfall and after hospital expenses.
As her parents have been mostly unable to work since her diagnosis, finances have become a significant concern.
A fundraising target has been set at R500 000.
“We are also currently researching clinical trials overseas which may be our only hope at finding a cure or may offer Ariella a better quality of life. These trials and other costs involved can be exorbitant. We need support to fund her treatment but also to raise awareness in the hopes of one day finding a cure for these beautiful little warriors,” said Emelia.
Emelia and her husband John, along with Ariella’s school, Tree Tops Pre-Primary, Umhlanga Ski Boat Club and the Hellenic community and Durban community, have planned a Family Fun Day event as a fundraiser, on Saturday, 10 November at Umhlanga Ski Boat Club.
Contact Anastasia Kougianos on 082 892 0721 or akougianos@outlook.com.
A golf day and a dinner in Umhlali are also being planned.
Events are on the Facebook page: For the love of Ariell”.
To donate on the BackABuddy page, visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ariella-help-us-beat-dipg.
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