Emily Weeks, 12, from Holyhead will stay in America for two months of intensive treatment after the Welsh Government agreed to foot the £100,000 bill.
An Anglesey girl diagnosed with a rare form of cancer is off to the United States for lifesaving treatment after the Welsh Government agreed to foot a £100,000 bill.
Emily Weeks, 12, of Llaingoch, Holyhead, was given the devastating news in March that she suffers from a rare form of rhabdomyosarcoma, which develops in the bone, muscle or cartilage.
Emily’s condition was discovered during a routine dental appointment. The Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi pupil immediately started chemotherapy at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital, where she continues to be treated.
But Emily now requires radiotherapy not available in the UK and needs to travel to America.
The Welsh Government has agreed to fund the treatment and Emily is set for her trip to the Mayo Clinic in Florida.
The community is also raising cash to help pay for accommodation and transport for Emily’s family while she undergoes the estimated two months of intensive treatment.
A third of the proceeds from Friday’s Euro 2016 fanzone at Anglesey Showground will be handed to the fund.
Family and friends also arranged a special fundraiser on Saturday with dozens of locals turning out at Llaingoch Village Hall. They raised more than £4,000.
Emily’s grandmother, Debbie, is set to accompany her as they fly out on July 13. They will later be joined by her grandfather, Alan, and Emily’s sister, Lucy. They all plan to return to the UK on September 21.
Neighbour Faye Cox, who arranged the fundraiser which included stalls and a bouncy castle, said: “It was a very well turned out event, from the minute the doors opened at 10am until they closed at 3pm. “
Emily was also given a surprise on the day, with members of the Anglesey Celts Motorbike Club taking Emily and Lucy on the back of a trike as a convoy of 11 motorbikes travelled around nearby Porthdafarch beach and Trearddur Bay.
Faye added: “It was wonderful to see Emily so happy. The girls returned to the village hall beaming with smiles.
“There are so many people to thank. It was a really sociable day, bringing the local community together.
“I’d also like to show my gratitude to Mrs Cynthia Johnson for allowing us to use the Llaingoch Village Hall for the event and to Roz, Alan and all the staff at Ponthwfa Stores for acting as a drop off point for items donated for the fundraising day.”
While there are further fundraisers to be held in the Holyhead area over the coming weeks, any money left over following the completion of Emily’s treatment will be donated to Alder Hey.
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