StemCell Therapy

The parents of a severely disabled three-year-old boy who needed seven minutes of resuscitation after he was stillborn have appealed for help.

Theo Hutton, from West Kirby, Wirral, needs specialist treatment not available on the NHS - meaning his family need to raise 100,000.

The little boy was put on life support after he was revived, but because he was starved of oxygen, he was subsequently diagnosed with a range of physical and neurological conditions.

These include "floppy baby syndrome", The Liverpool Echo reports.

Theo's mobility is highly restricted and he has been receiving specialised treatment for quadriplegic cerebral palsy not available on the NHS.

This has involved Theo, along with parents Laura and Andy, travelling to the Central American republic of Panama.

Here, Theo has received life-changing stem cell treatment using specialised equipment, including intensive hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

So far the family have made two trips - the last one with just hours to spare to get the last flight out of the country before the borders closed because of coronavirus in March.

But such treatment, along with travelling expenses, doesn't come cheap.

On his JustGiving page, his parents said: "Theo is the biggest fighter we know with every little thing he does being a challenge.

"He has the biggest smile and is the happiest little boy who deserves a chance of the life he was once robbed of.

"There are numerous therapies and pioneering treatments available, but they are not accessible on the NHS and the expense is very high."

Although Theo has benefited massively from the stem cell treatment he has received so far, lockdown means he has not received the intense physio he was due to have for six months until his next course of treatment - which could only go ahead if enough money was raised.

Fundraising events held to raise the huge sums needed have also had to be cancelled because of Covid restrictions.

Theo's aunt, Sally Roberts, who has been directing the fundraising campaign on her nephew's behalf, said: "As an auntie I want to do everything I can to help Theo get the best in life.

Its horrible sitting back during this pandemic and not being able to help.

"My sister and her family decided to go to Panama for stem cell treatment after doing lots of research and speaking to other parents on Facebook who have also visited there.

"Theo has now been for treatment twice in Panama, and both times when he has come home has shown huge changes in his movement and his head core.

His muscle tension has also reduced helping him make more movements.

"I know from speaking to them each day while they were in Panama that it was very traumatic for all of them.

"Theo's last treatment in Panama was in March, luckily he was allowed the full week's treatment but after the last day they stopped letting people in due to Covid, and when they got to the airport to come home they were the last plane out of Panama before they closed their borders."

Sally added: "Without fundraising, his treatments arent possible. Stem cell treatment in Panama costs a minimum of $16,000 each time, and the hyperbaric oxygen chamber costs $17,000.

"None of this can be done through the NHS.

"Due to Theo being so young his brain is still developing, but by the age of five your brain is 90% developed.

"So we want to get as much treatment done as possible before his fifth birthday.

"I understand that times are hard for everyone right now, but even if people cant make a donation, please share the word about Theo and cerebral palsy."

Theo's JustGiving page, which has so far raised nearly 60,000 can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/theosfight

There is also a TextGiving code: text THEOSFIGHT 5 to 70085 to donate 5 plus std rate msg.

Alternatively, you can opt to give any whole amount up to 20.

If anyone would like to do a fundraising event for Theo, please message Theosfight@yahoo.com.

Read the rest here:
Boy, 3, who 'died' for seven minutes in race against time to get lifesaving treatment - Mirror Online

This entry was posted on October 29, 2020 at 10:55 pm and is filed under Stem Cell Panama. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |