A 14-month old baby girl is to get the surgery she so desperately needs in April following a fundraising effort that has taken the south east by storm
Baby Zara Aylward of Glenmore in south Kilkenny has a semi-rare skull condition called coronal craniosyntosis which means that her skull has grown incorrectly since she was in the womb.
Her Mother Clodagh Aylward told the Kilkenny Advertiser, “the sutures in her skull fused together meaning that her brain is only growing in one side of her skull. Her brain is wanting to grow but it can’t as it’s restricted at the right hand side. Not having surgery is not an option for Zara. But the HSE have given us no hope of surgery in the near future,”
Following Clodagh’s call to local radio stations in Kilkenny and Waterford, the public came out in force to offer contributions so that Zara can have surgery in Great Ormonde St Hospital in the UK.
“I was stunned by the support of people. I never expected it and it wasn’t what I intended, however, if it means that Zara can have the surgery before the cut-off date of 18 months - it is just fantastic,” said Clodagh.
She is very critical of the HSE who she said wouldn’t put Zara forward under the national treatment purchase fund nor would they sign forms allowing for Zara to have the operation overseas.
“We were at our wits end as Zara needs this operation before she is 18 months old. I’m so grateful that the surgeon in the UK has offered to do it on either April 14 or 21 . It is such a relief.”
The operation will be undertaken by Dr David Dunaway and will cost in the region of €33,000.
This weekend a huge fundraiser will take place at the hurling match between Kilkenny and Waterford this Sunday in Walsh Park. Supporters are asked to give as generously as they can to support baby Zara.
Otherwise people can contribute to a bank account set up in the AIB at The Quay, Waterford. The details are: account number 10821005 , sort code 934275.
