Layla encounters difficulties

Four months ago Layla O Neill was diagnosed with Ependymoma which family friend, Belinda Lombard explained is a childhood disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the brain stem and spinal cord.

Layla’s only hope is an experimental treatment called proton therapy which is only offered at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas.

And Layla has been accepted for the treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Centre. The most recent estimate for the cost for the treatment is R 3.2 million. Layla was meant to commence treatment in mid-September but due to lack of funding it was rescheduled to the beginning of October.

Just when it seemed like Layla was in the clear an MRI revealed that her tumours were multiplying and the existing ones were increasing in size. Layla’s local doctors decided that flying at his stage could paralyse her.

It was decided that Layla would undergo seven weeks of radiation treatment at the Olivedale clinic before attempting the flight to Texas.

Lombard said that initially Layla will be sedated during the radiation treatment but later on she might have to be administered with a general anaesthetic daily in order to complete the treatment.

Despite the bump in the road Layla’s family and friends are hopeful.

Layla’s mother, Sharyn O’ Neill described her as an intelligent, brave and beautiful little girl who is full of life.

She said, “Layla knows that she has tumours on her brain but she doesn’t quite understand what’s going to happen.”

O’ Neill explained that so far the Raising Hope for Layla non-profit organisation, which was started to raise funds for Layla’s proton therapy treatment had raised over a million rand and had also managed to raise awareness of Ependymoma.

She said, “Although we’ve had a lot of help and interest from the public if we want to get Layla to Texas by the end of the year we really need to up our game.”

The Raising Hope for Layla organisation is hosting a number of different events soon to raise money for Layla’s treatment, from a motorbike ride to a rooftop market.

For more information contact Belinda Lombard.

Details: 083-239-5587, b.lombard@vodamail.co.za