A two-year-old toddler’s chances of receiving potentially life saving cancer treatment has received a significant boost.
The world-renowned Proton Centre in Germany has contacted the parents of brave Bodie McNulty offering to treat their daughter.
Bodie was only 10 months old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour which is one fifth the size of her skull.
She endured 12 months of chemotherapy which worked better than her consultant previously thought.
And she also underwent two further surgical procedures in February 2018.
But because the tumour exceeds the size requirements for NHS funding for ground-breaking proton beam therapy by a couple of millimetres, Kevin McNulty and Lauren Thornton were forced to launch a fundraising campaign.
Since the Correspondent highlighted their case in our March edition, their efforts have raised nearly £20,000 towards an initial target of £175,000.
However, mum Lauren said: “We have had some fantastic news from the Proton Centre in Essen, Germany.
“They have said they will treat Bodie and have given us a price estimation of €61,400.
“This is significantly lower than what our target was set at,” she explained.
“We’re really relieved and this is looking a lot more doable.
“However, it would need to be paid upfront before Bodie can be treated.
“Fundraising is going well and we’ve had a couple of fun days and some other events planned.”
One such event planned is a sponsored Pennine Trail walk being undertaken by family members and friends of family on April 28-29.
It is a two-day trek, starting from Jacksons Boat, and the group, includes Bodie’s great uncles, Darren and Andy, cousin Daniel, family friend, Steve, plus Dan and Scott from ERS Medical.
There will also be a Family Fun Day at Apna Ghar, Rochdale on Sunday, May 6.
It is being organised by Rochdale Thai boxing club who saw Bodie’s story in the news and offered to help.
The event will run from 12noon-4pm and there will be face painting, a bouncy castle, food, entertainment and much more.
For more information or to book a stall, call Omar: 07889 544029.
To donate towards Bodie’s treatment go online: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/protonforbodie
Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy considered a gentle and effective method because of its physical properties.