Lilac Lily - Dance Another Day

CANCER SURVIVOR REQUIRES LIFE CHANGING SURGERY

Lilac was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2011 when she was only 5 years old.
After two and a half years of exhausting chemotherapy, Lilac survived cancer.

The hospital also discovered that Lilac had Scoliosis - curvature of the spine.
In the UK there is a wait and watch approach. We hoped it would not progress.

However, a growth spurt has caused her curves to progress rapidly,
so we need to act fast. Lilac has done everything possible to avoid surgery
including attending the Scoliosis Clinic, doing physiotherapy every day,
and wearing a body brace.

Lilac is a talented dancer and ballet is a big part of her life.
Dancing helped Lilac recover from cancer both physically and mentally.

At the present time, the UK only offers fusion surgery, which literally fuses the spine to a metal rod,and would leave Lilac inflexible, and unable to dance.

Purely by chance, we discovered VBT - Vertical Body Tethering- which is a
pioneering spinal surgery,which is only available in the USA and Europe at present.
It was on the NHS until last year, (another story)

VBT uses keyhole surgery and allows flexibility after the operation,so Lilac would be able to dance again.

We travelled to Germany in February and the surgeon thankfully accepted Lilac for VBT. Lilac is booked in for surgery on 1st August 2018.

We are desperate to raise the funds, as Lilac has a small window of opportunity to have this surgery.

We can not wait for this op to be available on the NHS, which it will be one day, as her curves will just keep progressing.

We can not imagine Lilac not being able to dance ever again, if she has fusion.

Lilac has already been through more than anyone deserves at her age,
and this operation would give her back her life, again.

Any help, however big or small truly appreciated.


John & Holly & Scarlette 

xxxx