THE family of a three-year-old girl fighting against the odds to beat a brain tumour are trying to raise £20,000 to take her to America.
Doctors have given Mia Taylor, from Clifton, just a five per cent chance of surviving after attempts to treat her in the QMC have failed.
But her parents Stacey Askey and Antony Taylor are refusing to give up hope. They have sent her notes to two hospitals in America – John Hopkins Hospital, in Maryland, and Boston Children's Hospital – hoping doctors there may be able to help.
Stacey, 23, who is also mum to five-year-old Cory, said: "The outlook for Mia's tumour in very young children is poor, with few children surviving treatment.
"When Mia was first diagnosed they told us there was only a five per cent chance Mia would survive as the tumour is very deep in the brain.
"But Antony and I aren't about to just give up on our little girl, so we have asked for second opinions in America.
"Antony has been doing some research into this certain brain tumour and found some amazing procedures that can be done."
The £20,000 is an estimate of how much it will cost for potential treatment, accommodation and flights to the States.
If none of the hospitals will agree to take Mia's case on, the money will be used for a family trip to Disneyland and the rest given to charity.
Jacky Fleming, from Clifton, has already started fundraising.
The 40-year-old, who has so far raised £100 through an online auction, said: "As a mum myself, it's heartbreaking to see what the family are going through. I was touched by the story and knew that I wanted to help."
Professor Richard Grundy, paediatric oncology consultant at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Mia has what is known as a diffuse high-grade glioma, which is located in her mid-brain.
"This is the really important part of the brain that controls all of the everyday processes, and it is surgically impossible to operate on that part.
"Mia has had radiotherapy, which she responded well to, and chemotherapy, which she had a reasonable response to, but the tumour has significantly progressed in the last two months and sadly her prognosis is poor.
"We have asked two doctors in America for a second opinion and are awaiting their response."
