The family of a 17-month-old girl diagnosed with leukaemia and fighting for her life have been overwhelmed by people’s support after an appeal to raise money to adapt their home has led to a flood of donations, as well as fundraisers in the pipeline.
Brave Mia Percival, who lives in Stevenage, has endured chemotherapy, blood transfusions and heavy medication since she was diagnosed with leukaemia at the end of January.
Her immune system is so weak she has had both the flu and the norovirus – a sickness and diarrhoea bug – and lost so much weight she has had to be fed through a tube.
Her mum, Lisa, has quit her job to be with her daughter and Mia’s dad, Alan, will need to take extensive time off work to be there for his daughter and four-year-old son James.
The Comet reported last week how the wider family has set up a fundraising page to support Lisa, Alan and their children as doctors estimate Mia faces two-and-a-half years of treatment.
Lisa said: “Since Mia’s diagnosis her life immediately changed, and so did the lives of her family.
“Mia’s treatment is gruelling and brutal and has wiped out her immune system, so she will need to avoid crowded places and will miss out on important things like swimming and pre-school. We would like to make her home and garden a place to stimulate all her senses, have fun and enjoy.
“We would also like to make sure our home is as clean and safe as possible. To do this we will need to adapt, replace and purchase new equipment, furniture and appliances.
“There are also additional regular costs that we will now incur relating to Mia’s regular hospital visits and stays.”
So far, more than £9,300 has been raised through the appeal and a number of fundraising activities are being organised.
On March 17, a group of women, including Mia’s auntie, Fiona Minett-Watkins, will be taking part in a 5km mud run.
On May 6, a group of men will be doing a 100-mile bike ride, and a fundraiser at the Royal Oak in Stevenage is also being organised for the same day.
Mia’s grandmother, Jacqueline Minnett, said: “We are absolutely amazed and overwhelmed at how thoughtful and supportive everyone is being and can’t thank people enough.”
To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/miamoo.
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