On the 1st June 2012 Lily Mae Morrison was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She had turned 4 just a few weeks before and was loving life with her 2 year old brother Evan. She was diagnosed quickly and chemo started straightaway. She had a huge tumor on her spine and complete skeletal cancer, her bone marrow was also infected. She's responded to chemo incredibly well, She fought regular infect
ions and spent a great deal of time in hospital, she was dedicated to beating her 'big owie' though and dealt with all the invasive treatments with tear jerking strength. She subsequently had the tumor removed as well as 7 extra smaller tumors. She is currently in Isolation for 7 weeks having had high dose chemo for the last time which has made her incredibly poorly, and to receive her stem cell rebuild. It's been incredibly tough for her but also for Judy and Leighton who have been so strong for her through experiences no family should ever have to face. The Sunni Mae Fest 2012 was put together to raise funds to assist the family financially while Lily Mae had her treatment, Both Leighton and Jude are self employed professional dancers so there was no sick pay for either of them when they had to completely give up work. This year things are very different. After initial success, on the treatment Lily Mae has almost completed 70% of children will relapse. The cancer comes back and there is nothing doctors in England or Ireland can do about it. However in Germany and the United States there are trials available, at a cost, which are having significant success in curing Neuroblastoma relapse cases. If Lily Mae does relapse we need to be able to act quickly and send her abroad for life saving treatment, that is the reason for this years festival. We are organizing a day that will appeal to all ages and would love for as many people as possible to come and join us while we try to change the life of one incredibly special little girl. If Lily Mae is one of the lucky 30% (Which I am almost certain she is) that doesn't relapse then the money will be joyfully donated to the Neuroblastoma Society, They donate every penny they raise to finding the evasive cure, Neuroblastoma only targets children, mainly under 7 and has the highest mortality rate in infant cancer. We need a cure. Either way it's an amazing cause and will be a fabulous day so tell your friends!
