Leicestershire mum's bid to help baby Alarna see for first time
Natascha Hughes, from Syston, is trying to raise £30,000 for stem cell treatment at a private clinic.
Her daughter Alarna Munroe, eight months, was born with an optic nerve condition – septo optic dysplasia – which means that a part of her brain which controls her vision has not developed properly.
It is the same condition affecting model Katie Price's son, Harvey.
It affects about one in 500,000 babies in Britain a year and there is no cure.
Natascha's hopes are pinned on the controversial treatment which uses stem cells taken from an umbilical cord, to replace those which have not developed correctly.
Alarna's condition was detected when she was a few days old.
Natascha said: "We were at home and she suddenly turned blue.
"Although she started breathing again almost straight away, hospital tests found the septo optic dysplasia.
"I was told this would cause problems with Alarna's sight and that she was blind in one eye and only had light perception in the other.
"There were no signs at all during my pregnancy that anything was wrong and I don't smoke, drink or take drugs."
Alarna also has problems with her pituitary gland which means she has difficulty telling when she has had enough to eat and drink.
Natascha said: "Despite all this she is a very happy baby."
She decided to try the stem cell treatment after hearing about Dakota Clarke, a two-year-old girl from Northern Ireland, whose parents claim it has helped their daughter see them for the first time.
Natascha is hoping to raise the money needed by next September – the earliest the operation can be carried out.
But a children's specialist doctor in Leicester has sounded a note of caution. Dr James Greening, a consultant paediatrician at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "Septo optic dysplasia is an incredibly rare and nasty condition where the pituitary gland has not developed properly.
"It is a condition a patient is born with and I don't know of any evidence that stem cell therapy is in a position to help. I would urge anyone thinking of going abroad to first get expert medical advice."
Natascha said: "I just want to do everything I possibly can to give Alarna the best standard of life."
She and friends have already raised £3,000 at a series of events, including a sponsored walk up Mount Snowdon. Natascha is hoping there will be a further £3,000 from a sponsored sky dive.
Natascha said: "I would be grateful for any support anyone can give."
For details or to donate e mail:
natascha.hughes86@hotmail.co.uk
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