Some determined fundraising and strong community spirit in Tuam may lead to blind 15-month-old Amelia Filipczak travelling to China for groundbreaking stem cell treatment which, it is hoped, may result in her acquiring sight.
Amelia’s Polish-born parents Justyna and Lukasz are hopeful that the treatment in the Beike medical facility in China may help the infant who was born blind to see.
The procedure at the controversial Beike medical facility involves engineering and acquiring sight for Amelia through stem cell treatment. Her mother Justyna says, “This is the one hope we have of getting sight for Amelia as they cannot do any surgery on the optic nerves. Only stem cells can help make her optic nerves grow and give her sight.”
The determination of Justyna and Lukasc to help their daughter has inspired neighbours to form a fundraising committee with a view to gathering the necessary funding to send her to China.
Amelia’s father Lukasc says,”Unfortunately, the cost of the treatment is €50,000 and as our savings would be only a drop in the ocean, that is why we hope people will help give our daughter a chance of a better life.” Amelia suffers from hypotonia which results in low muscle tone and optic nerve hypoplasia. As a result her reflexes are poor and she is unable to walk alone.
The fundraising committee set up to help Amelia is urging Galway people to help by sending donations to the Amelia Fund, account number 493757, at St Jarlath’s Credit Union, Tuam. A website with further information can be accessed at www.szansa-dla-amelii.pl
