Katie appeal tops £10,000
The Keep Baby Katie Awake campaign has raised over £100,000 in just nine weeks, the County Derry Post can reveal.
By Connla Young
And last night Katie Maguire’s doting dad Gary thanked the thousands of people across County Derry who have dug deep to raise cash for the baby’s life saving treatment.
Katie suffers from a rare form of epilepsy and is unable to see, smile or swallow.
Katie’s family need £250,000 to pay for her treatment at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She travelled to America with her Mum Mekila and dad last month.
Last night it emerged that the cost of essential medical treatment is already starting to soar.
A recent four day stay at the hospital cost the Katie fund a staggering $15,000.
With the cost of travel, accommodation and basic living added in the family’s trip to America has already topped $30,000, according to Gary.
“Because we have no social security number we had to pay seven months rent in advance as well as a deposit,” explained Gary.
“That all cost nearly $15,000. We have also paid almost $15,000 for medical treatment. Anyone who has been in America knows you don’t get nothing for nothing. There’s $30,000 gone from the fund already and treatment hasn’t even started yet.
“If it turns out she will need genetic tests that will cost anything from $5,000 and $35,000. We got a bill from the hospital recently and you can see you pay for everything in America.
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped us and we ask for people’s continued support.”
