A staggering £135,000 has been collected in just five weeks for a sick toddler who desperately needs life-saving experimental treatment.
With the help of the Herts Ad, fundraisers from St Albans and across the world have stepped in to support two-year-old Isla Austin, who lives in Leverstock Green.
She was found to have stage IV high-risk neuroblastoma in late 2016 after a growth on her cheek appeared. Further tests revealed tumours growing in her kidney, legs and ribs.
Although Isla is currently in remission, the chances of relapse are devastatingly high and only ten per cent of patients survive a reoccurrence.
However, an experimental clinical trial at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center holds a glimmer of hope for Isla. The Bivalent Vaccine aims to lower chances of relapse, but costs £155,000 and means repeated trips to America over the next year.
Isla’s dad Rick has been furiously fundraising ever since he was presented with the daunting task: “It took five weeks and we have got £135,000 which is incredible.
“It’s amazing, it’s the power of having great friends and family, and social media sharing the story, and you guys [the Herts Ad] with the front page story.
“When you hear of people donating it’s unbelievable, it’s a fantastic feeling.”
He is overwhelmed with support coming from all over the world. For example Ben Le Gassick is swimming 2km in shark-infested waters off a beach in Sydney for sponsorship money.
Isla was also treated to a phone call from Frozen’s Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, who promised to visit Isla in New York when she flies over for treatment.
Closer to home, St Albans local Clare Wallis is running 12 26 mile marathons over the next year in aid of the cause.
She said: “[Rick is] a great friend and father with a beautiful family. With three young children, Rick and Anna have their hands full but take everything that is thrown at them like a bull by the horns.”
Collectors have also been in London Colney Sainsbury’s and had a stall on St Albans market. They will be asking for donations in the Harpenden Sainsbury’s this Saturday (January 27).
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/solvingkidscancer/islaaustin.
Any extra money will go towards other expenses involved in Isla’s treatment.
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