Islington Tribune - News: Jessica Magnusova, cancer, USA

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Islington Tribune - by HANNAH KUCHLER
Published: 4 April 2008

Jessica Magnusova

Mum’s plea in bid to send cancer girl to US

Little Jessica, 6, needs life-saving treatment in America

AN Islington mother has launched a London-wide campaign to raise the £175,000 needed to treat her daughter’s rare form of cancer.
Six-year-old Jessica Magnusova, who lives in Clerkenwell’s Golden Lane estate with her mother Stana, has a large tumour wrapped around her spine. Her condition, ganglioneuroblastoma, affects only one in 200,000 children.
British doctors have tried to help her, but the potentially life-saving treatment she needs is only avaliable in New York. The consultation fee alone would cost £175,000, and the treatment will cost thousands more.
Stana said: “We can find nothing in the UK for her except chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. She has already had a course of chemotherapy and it didn’t work the first time, so it won’t the second time. She has already had an operation to remove about a quarter of it, and radiation shouldn’t be given to children.”
Next week a call centre full of fundraisers will start contacting businesses and homes across London to sell raffle tickets for Jessica’s fund.
Ian Weir, from the charity Bobby’s Fund which helps children with cancer said: “If every parent and grandparent in London buys just one ticket, we will raise enough money for this treatment that will improve Jessica’s chances dramatically.”
They are also encouraging donations and hope to raise enough money to start the treatment within six months.
Jessica has not only endured a course of chemotherapy, but she also has to wear a back
brace 23 hours a day to stop her spine from curving.
Stana said: “We have told her what is happening.
“She does have to see the doctors a lot but she is very happy and is just like any other child.”
If you want to make a donation or buy a raffle ticket for Jessica’s appeal, visit www.appeal4jessica.co.uk or call 020 8099 5922.

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