Brave Ruby Owen to get life-saving treatment

I've just had some fantastic news from Gordy about Ruby's Appeal. The Hospital in America has lowered the cost of Rubys treatment.

The Owens have expressed heart felt gratitude to everyone for helping to raise funds and their concern. She's not out of the woods yet, and is very poorly but in Gordys words "they can now concentrate on just Ruby".

Press release

The parents of a brave three-year-old fighting cancer have announced today that fundraisers have succeeded in donating enough money to send their daughter to America for potentially life-saving Proton Treatment Therapy.

Following a six month fundraising campaign, doctors in the USA have this week confirmed a significant discount for early payment, meaning the estimated £250,000 bill for treatment and travel has been reduced to just over £160,000.

Martin Owen commented on the news from the isolation unit at Alder Hey Hospital, where Ruby is currently undergoing a last course of intense chemotherapy: “We are amazed and obviously delighted, it continues to astound us that so many people are helping fundraise for a child they have never met. It really restores your faith in society and we will be eternally grateful to everyone who has donated to the appeal and thought about us during this very difficult time.”

The Owen family were told the news by Stoke-based charity, Caudwell Children, who have been supporting the family by managing donations to the appeal and assisting with fundraising activity around the country.

Charity Chief Executive, Trudi Beswick, commented on the news: “This is, of course, fantastic news and everyone involved is incredibly relieved that Ruby is going to be able to get the treatment she needs. It fills me with pride to see people from around Staffordshire, and from the rest of the country, all pull together to help a family in desperate need.”

While there are now the required funds in place to send Ruby to America, the Owen family have issued a special plea to the hundreds of people still planning fundraising events and activities in aid of the appeal.

Martin continued: “This news has come as a surprise to us all and we are just relieved that our goal of taking Ruby to America is now in touching distance. For everyone still fundraising, we urge you to continue in our daughter’s name as there are unfortunately hundreds of children like Ruby who need this kind of treatment every year and Caudwell Children will ensure any additional funds will be used to support other children fighting this horrible disease.”

Caudwell Children had been preparing to make a donation of up to £50,000 to send the Owen family to America before they received confirmation from the hospital in Indiana.

Mrs Beswick said: “Now that the financial burden has been taken away, Martin and Rachel can focus all of their attention on Ruby. There will still be some difficult times ahead, and she still has a real fight for survival, but Ruby and her family are very strong and we will be supporting them every step of the way in any way we can.”

Although thousands of people from right around the UK have donated to the Ruby Owen Appeal, the family have expressed a special thank you to a few individuals who have been instrumental in coordinating the fundraising activity.

Martin said: “We would like to say a very special thank you to Michelle Mason and Mandy Cooper from Stoke who have been truly inspirational in their determination and organisation, and to our family for continuing to support us. We also owe a debt of gratitude to people like Lee Mack, who donated large sums of money to help our appeal. The people of Stoke-on-Trent have been amazing and it makes me very proud to be a part of this great community.”

Caudwell Children will continue to manage donations to the Ruby Owen Appeal and, once the treatment in America has been successfully completed, will work with the Owen family to distribute any funds to other individual children battling Cancer.