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A desperate mother has launched an appeal for thousands of pounds to save her 13-year-old daughter's life.
Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Adams, who attends Sittingbourne Community College, has been given less than two years to live after doctors found an inoperable tumour on her brain stem, known as a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, in April.
The family, from Conyer, started a GoFundMe page to raise £10,000 for equipment and home modifications but this has now changed after they found pioneering new treatment that could extend her life.
However, it would mean they need to secure £120,000.
Mum Kath Adams, 40, said: “As I’m sure any other mother would understand, I’m not ready to say goodbye to my girl.
“For the type of tumour Lizzy has, there’s not really anything to offer on the NHS.
“We’ve found a few promising treatments abroad showing fantastic results for other children.
“Our absolute dream would be to take Lizzy to Mexico where the treatment and doctors have been applauded, but that would cost, at the very least, £350,000.”
"As I'm sure any other mother would understand, I'm not ready to say goodbye to my girl" - Kath Adams
Lizzy, who has five siblings, has undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy but Miss Adams said the family had set their sights on convection enhanced delivery (CED), originally developed for Parkinson’s, available at Harley Street in London.
It involves the implantation of fine catheters into the brain, through which drugs are delivered directly to the tumour.
Miss Adams, a stay-at-home mum, said: “This is the only option in the UK – otherwise we’ve only got nine months to two years with her.
“That’s why we need as much public support as we can get. I’m begging now.”
A family fun day was held at The Swan pub in Teynham to raise extra cash.
There was a bouncy castle, cosmetics and sweets stalls, a tombola, raffle and an ice cream van.
Miss Adams said: “It was ram-packed all day. We had a really good turnout – I’d say at least a couple of hundred of people came along. It was a really hot day, too.”
A total of £3,717 was raised, although money is still being collected from charity head shaves and hair dyes from the day, held on Saturday, June 17.
The funds are more than £7,300 and Miss Adams is hoping this will rise to £11,000 when it is all counted.
She said: “I’d like to say thanks to everybody who turned up.
"Thank you to all the people, especially those who helped, and The Swan for allowing us to use their facilities.
"And, not to forget, all our friends that arranged the fun day. It was amazing.”