Andy Geggan Supports Iona's Appeal

Pars star helps raise awareness of Iona's appeal

Pars first team star Andy Geggan has asked for as many people as possible to help raise awareness of Iona Daniels' appeal, and if possible to donate whatever they can.

Andy Geggan said:-

"I would appreciate if people could take a few minutes to read about Iona and here appeal. If you can donate even a small amount I would be very grateful as will Iona's family."

You can visit Iona's JustGiving site by clicking here

Iona's story is detailed below:

"In November 2008, when Iona was 18 months old, my world collapsed when, after weeks of being unwell, Iona was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer called Neuroblastoma. The tumour in her tummy was huge and her Oncologist said her prognosis was poor.

"As words rang in my ears and the world crashed down around me, we were admitted to Yorkhill hospital where we were to stay for a very long time. Treatment began immediately and the 14 month protocol was punishing, 8 rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell harvest, 5 hours of surgery to remove the tumour, her left kidney and adrenal gland, high dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, 14 sessions of radiotherapy and 6 months of oral Retonoic Acid.

"This treatment was accompanied by over 20 general anaesthetics, ongoing nausea and vomiting, complications from the chemo, infections galore, high temperatures and neutropenia but Iona still managed to keep smiling. She gave me the strength to face every day. We watched her grow and develop her little personality throughout and the hope that she would survive carried us closer and closer to the finish line until in December of 2010 Iona was declared NED, no evidence of disease!

"If only that was the end of the story. Throughout the time we strived for this end point, watching and weeping as many other children didn't make it, we began to learn that NED is not the end, merely the end of front line treatment and the beginning of another journey. Neuroblastoma has an unacceptably high relapse rate and terrifyingly there is currently no UK relapse protocol.

"Sadly we have seen far too many children face this heartbreaking situation with no further options, and we just can't face the prospect of being there ourselves one day. We can't stop it coming back, but we can be prepared. There ARE further treatment options abroad, but they come at a huge price, some are around £500,000 but money simply cannot be the stumbling block between life and death. We must be able to provide treatment for Iona should she need it, and with your help we can."

For more details on FAN ( Families Against Neiroblastoma) please click the logo below or visit Iona's JustGiving page here