An Irish woman has launched a fundraiser to help raise money for medical treatment for her seven-year-old son.
Una Ennis' son Archie has been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a serious condition that causes progressive muscular weakness.
On Lunchtime Live, Ms Ennis said she first suspected her child might be unwell when she noticed he was struggling to keep up with other children.
"Archie could never really jump from a young age," she said.
"He’d struggle to catch up with his friends - if they were playing circle time he’d always be the last to stand up."
Ms Ennis took Archie for physiotherapy but noticed that in the last six months, he has been struggling even more.
After taking him to Tallaght Hospital for a blood test, Archie received a Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis.
"This is just every parent's nightmare - I never thought that this would be the outcome," Ms Ennis said.
"It will progress to his shoulders and they say in years to come it will progress to his lungs and his heart so this is why we’re doing everything we can to get the treatment – he's only seven."
Gene therapy
Ms Ennis launched a GoFundMe to raise €3.2 million to pay for gene therapy in California.
"It's a new drug that's been approved [in the US] - anyone can avail of it but you have to travel," she said.
"The HSE can give people the funds to help go over to America to get treatment but they can’t give a grant to go to America because it’s only FDA-approved and it’s not approved by the Irish medical agency.
"Unfortunately to raise €3 million that’s going to take time - Archie doesn’t have time."
Stem cells, AlamyMs Ennis is also taking Archie for stem-cell treatment, which she said offers him short-term relief.
"I’ll have to keep bringing him [for stem-cell treatment] to keep him at this steady stage so that he doesn’t lose the power of his legs."
Ms Ennis said her family is "so grateful" to everyone who has helped with her GoFundMe so far.
You can listen back below:
Feature image: Archie, via GoFundMe
