An appeal has been launched to enable a young disabled boy to have ground-breaking treatment in China that might allow him to see for the first time.
Thanks to the generous support of family and friends, Chris and Hazel Ransley-Warnes, who live in Shepherdswell, have already raised £20,000 towards the total of £35,000 that is needed for three-year-old Travis to receive stem cell treatment. And they have provisionally booked the dates for the trip.
But they need to ensure that the remaining £15,000 will be raised.
“Every penny counts,” said Mrs Ransley-Warnes. The couple also have a daughter, Sophie Louise.
“This treatment is not available in this country or in America, but it is being carried out in China and because of the time it takes to secure a place, we have already booked it at Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, near Beijing, from September 3 to October 12.”
Travis was born in December 2005 with several medical problems, including Septo-Optic Dysplasia/Holoprosencephaly which means he is blind.
“We hope that the treatment will mean that he will be able to see for the first time, and it may also help with his other problems, including heart arrhythmia and thyroid deficiency.
“He was was also born with a cleft lip and palette, a dysphargic swallow – so he can’t eat very well – and slow bowel movement.”
The stem cell treatment can target the areas which are worst affected and then move on to benefit other areas.
“It’s a very new treatment and so far around 40 people have received it, with 90 per cent of them responding positively,” said Mrs Ransley-Warnes.
“It could also help him walk and talk.”
At the weekend, Travis’s family took part in the boot fair at Barville, raising £300 on the stall, and receiving another £200 in donations.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us so far, and we hope others will help us reach our target.”
People can donate money direct into the Appeal Fund at any HSBC Bank. The account name is Travis’s Fight For Sight Appeal, Sort Code 40-19-23, account number 71512234, HSBC Bank, Biggin Street, Dover.