A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise funds needed to get a three-year-old Wrexham girl the vital treatment she needs in her fight against a rare cancer.
The family of Aria Hodgkiss, from Rhostyllen, received the heartbreaking news on May 4 – the day of her third birthday – that she has an operable inoperable tumour sitting in her brain stem - called a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Aria is currently receiving radiotherapy treatment but, tragically, her life-expectancy is between just nine and 18 months.
However, her family is encouraged by a new cancer drug which could extend Aria's life by years.
The ONC201 drug is believed to kill cancerous cells and offers hope for brave little Aria and her family.
The drug, however, would cost Aria's family €1,060 a week - with the family looking to raise £20,000 to help fund it.
DIPG is usually only found in children and is in the Pons region of the brain (brain stem). Here, cancerous cells are mixed with the normal healthy cells and therefore due to its delicate location, it is impossible to remove.
The only treatment currently available is radiotherapy which will solely prolong life by about six months. It is not a cure, and sadly currently there is no cure.
Just 40 children a year in the UK are diagnosed with this condition; meaning therefore it is a massively underfunded area of research.
Aria's mum, Mel, said: "We are absolutely devastated but we are fighting to give Aria the best possible chance in life.
"Aria is a little warrior, even with the side effects of the radiotherapy she is still smiling her way through it. She's been absolutely amazing."
Mel, 40, added: "We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone for their support - it's been amazing.
"Aria's MCA Charitable Trust has bought Aria loads of new toys, and we've had an outdoor play area and swing from Make a Wish Foundation and we're going on a weekend away in Porthmadog in September.
"Aria's childminder, Vicky Roberts, and Sara Williams, Hannah Jones, Sarah Evans, Katy Stewart and Stacey Rippon all sought help from local businesses who kindly donated items that have been raffled off to raise money as well. The support we've received has been overwhelming."
Through various fundraisers, £10,000 has been raised for Aria - but much more is needed.
You can donate to the fundraiser by clicking here.
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