Lifeline for Katie
A seriously ill baby was thrown a precious lifeline yesterday when a top US hospital confirmed a date for life saving treatment.
By Connla Young
Little Katie Maguire from Magherafelt suffers from intractable epilepsy which causes her to have of dozens of seisures every day.
The nine-month-old also suffers from cerebral palsy and is so sick she can’t smile, swallow or see.
Her parents Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire care for their sick daughter 24 hours a day and are currently trying to raise £250,000 to pay for the cost of specialist treatment at Memorial Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
The Magherafelt couple last night said they are ‘over the moon’ that a date for Katie to travel to the US for treatment has finally been confirmed as August 20.
Last night her dad Gary said the family is praying that Katie’s health holds up.
“Katie’s seisures are getting more and more vigorous so we are going to try to get her out there earlier. If she is too sick to fly at that time the chances of getting another date might be very slim.”
The delighted dad thanked everyone who has helped the family so far and urged people to continue to get behind Katie’s fundraising campaign.
Meanwhile, brave Tracey Loane raised £1000 for Katie by getting her hair shaved off at the weekend.
The 19-year-old Magherafelt woman said: “I wanted to have my head shaved so I could raise as much money for Katie as possible, but I was nervous.
“I am so pleased I did it in the end though because Katie’s parents were so grateful.”
A series of fundraising events for Katie’s campaign will be held in Dungiven this Friday.
