The Scottish Government is to pay for a cancer-stricken schoolgirl’s initial treatment, which could save her life.
The Courier understands a specialist will be flown in from Germany to treat Mackenzie Furniss at Yorkhill children’s hospital.
The nine-year-old’s family are desperately trying to raise cash to pay for treatment currently not available in the UK. Mackenzie suffers from neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer which attacks the nervous system.
Speaking at their Sauchie home, mother Kimberley, 29, told The Courier: “They’re paying for a stem cell transplant which costs £160,000. It’s a big relief for us and Mackenzie is happy too because she’ll be at home. It will lift her spirits and help her recover.”
The family’s MSP Keith Brown negotiated payment for the treatment with his SNP colleague, health secretary Alex Neil.
Mr Brown said: “When I heard about Mackenzie’s condition, I wrote to the cabinet secretary for health … asking that all potential solutions were fully explored.
“I was delighted to receive confirmation that, following discussions with Yorkhill and the German medical facility who offer the trial treatment, the cost will be met by the NHS and that Mackenzie will be able to be treated here in Scotland.
“I understand that NHS specialists will discuss full details with the Furniss family this week and while Mackenzie will require to travel to Germany for some follow-up therapy, which will have to be funded privately.
“Thanks to the generosity and efforts of so many people in Clackmannanshire, Scotland and around the world, the amount required is likely to have been raised.”
Kimberly said: “Obviously the bulk of the treatment is now getting done in Yorkhill and that’s fabulous, but we still need to raise a lot of money.
“The rest of the follow-up treatment in Germany will cost £100,000 and that doesn’t include flights and accommodation for six trips.”
The family has managed to collect just over £100,000, including a £10,000 donation from pop star Pink and $1,000 from Hollywood actor Justin Long.
Kimberley added: “Mackenzie won’t get all-clear for five years and anything could happen, so we have to have extra money behind us.
“If there’s any surplus that Mackenzie doesn’t need, it will help other children who have neuroblastoma.”
Bettina Bungay-Balwah, chief executive of Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance UK, which is supporting Mackenzie and her family, said: “This is a significant step forward for the treatment of neuroblastoma in the UK.
“We are grateful for the Scottish Government’s assistance in making UK treatment possible for Mackenzie something which could not have been achieved without governmental collaboration.”
To donate to the appeal, visit www.justgiving.com/Appeal4Mackenzie. You can also follow her progress on the appeal’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mackenziesmiracle.