A BRIDGWATER toddler will be travelling more than 4,000 miles this week to undergo life-saving treatment in the US after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Four-year-old Leah Tanner will make the journey across the Atlantic with her parents Ryan and Samantha later this week to undergo Proton Beam Therapy.
The state-of-the-art treatment, which will be given at The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, delivers less radiation to the healthy tissues surrounding the tumour than traditional radiation, reducing complications.
The cost of the treatment and airfare will be covered by the NHS however Samantha and Ryan will need to pay back the cost of the ticket for Leah’s two-year-old sister Haley who will need to travel with her family.
With the treatment expected to last at least until August the young family will also need to cover their living costs while out there.
Ryan Tanner, 37, of Penlea Avenue said: “To be honest we haven’t had time to think or worry about the cost. We’ve just been so focused on Leah and trying to get everything done for her. This is the best option for her and we’ll do anything in order to get her better.”
Leah was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a type of brain tumour that develops on the pituitary gland, after a trip to the opticians revealed swelling on her optic nerve in April.
Leah’s mum Samantha, 33, told the Mercury: “She used to suffer from headaches a lot and her eyes would quite often roll inward so that you could only see the whites. We thought she might need glasses at first so we took her to the opticians but when they did the eye test they noticed swelling on the optic nerve.
“After the MRI at Musgrove she was rushed straight up to Bristol where they kept her in until May.”
Due to the location of the tumour on the Pituitary Gland it is likely that Leah will require medication for the rest of her life to keep her hormones balanced and both Samantha’s and Ryan’s family have organised fundraising events to try to raise as much money as possible to help.
There will be an Elvis Experience held at the Wagon pub in Taunton on June 27 and a live music event 'Rock on the Green' held at St Andrews Club, Taunotn to raise funds to support the family.
Ryan added: “Everyone’s been great since the diagnosis.
“Our families have really rallied round and helped.”
To donate visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/samantha-tanner-2
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