Help celebrate World Ependymoma Day and assist a young Lonehill resident
LONEHILL – Read about how you can support World Ependymoma Day.
Community members are urged to help support World Ependymoma Day by buying a butterfly which will help keep seven-year-old Layla O’ Neill pain-free for a day.
You can do so by joining the celebration of the lives of all Ependymoma fighters, survivors, fallen heroes and precious O’ Neill on 6 May from 11am to 2pm at Lonehill Park.
On the day, live butterflies will be released in honour of the day.
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O’ Neill was diagnosed four years ago with Ependymoma, a cancerous tumour, and is still fighting the battle.
Her mother, Sharyn, expressed that her daughter’s story is one of tears, laughter, challenges, joy, pain, unbelievable bravery, unity and unconditional love.
“With doctors then saying that Layla would not make her 5th birthday, yet, here we are preparing to celebrate her 8th birthday on the 9th of May,” Sharyn said.
She added that sadly, O’ Neill’s prognosis has not changed, but they are grateful for every moment that they get to spend with her.
“Each year, the Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network Foundation celebrates World Ependymoma Day in order to create awareness about Ependymoma. Butterflies are then released in different countries around the world in order to signify hope for all affected by this cancer,” Sharyn said.
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Layla’s mother further added that World Ependymoma Day is a day which means a lot to her and that it was close to her heart, not because of the children who suffer from it, but the day being a symbol of hope for those who suffer from it.
“We will be participating for the third year in a row by releasing 500 butterflies at Lonehill Park after the Parkrun and Layla has also decided that she will have her birthday party at the butterfly release this year, but no presents please. If you want to spoil Layla, buy her a butterfly to release, she loves it,” Sharyn said.
Live butterflies are available on Quicket at R70 each.
How will you be celebrating World Ependymoma Day? Share your views with us on the Fourways Review Facebook page.
