Death of ‘little angel’ prompts fundraising (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Death of ‘little angel’ prompts fundraising
7:40am Sunday 3rd June 2012 in Local news By Annette McIntyre
A couple’s tribute to their “little angel” who died at just nine days old is raising money to help save other children.
Eva Rose Martin-Mitchell died in April after being diagnosed with the incurable genetic disorder, non-ketotic hyper-glycinaemia.
Now her young parents, who had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support, are raising money to fund research into the disorder.
Lana and Cameron Mitchell, formerly from the Guiseley area, have set up a web page in tribute to their daughter and to help save the lives of other babies. Lana, 18, and Cameron, 19, who is a senior aircraftman in the RAF, now live in Lincoln.
They say: “Eva Rose is our beautiful little girl who unfortunately passed away when she was nine days old due to a rare disease called non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia.
“This page is designed to remember our little angel and raise awareness and money for NKH.”
Already Eva’s death has helped two other babies after her parents gave the go-ahead for her heart valves to be donated.
The couple also agree for their daughter’s DNA to be used to help find a cure for the condition. NKH is a metabolic disease that leaves sufferers unable to break down the amino acid, glycine. It can cause fatal fits.
Despite their own grief, the couple have already raised more than £1,100 for the GEM appeal. They are aiming to raise a total of £5,000.
On their webpage they say the appeal “provides research into and treatment for incurable genetic diseases in children and has provided a laboratory and many expensive items of equipment in helping to better the lives of dying children. One day it will help FIND A CURE.”
In a moving tribute to his daughter, Cameron says: “I miss my little girl so much. Thank you so much to everybody that has donated. Please tell everyone about this page.”
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/evarose.
