A YOUNG girl diagnosed with cancer last year has spent her fourth birthday getting ready for potentially life-saving treatment.
Flora Gentleman flew to New York with mum Stephanie Kent and dad Jamie Gentleman at the end of last month for a clinical trial.
The youngster, who lives in Aberlady, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in April last year.
Family, friends and strangers raised more than £200,000 to fund the trip.
The family provided an update on Monday evening – Flora’s birthday – and said: “Tomorrow morning Flora will undergo her second vaccine as part of the bivalent vaccine trial.
“Although the vaccine is painful when administered, Flora coped with the first one very well. She was sore initially but recovered after around 10 minutes. She thankfully never spiked a temperature or had any other noticeable side effects.
“Along with the vaccine, she has an oral medicine called beta-glucan which stimulates the immune system to hopefully make the vaccine more effective. It can cause mild stomach upset, which we think she’s experiencing.
“The doctors said that she may experience more side effects with each vaccine as it builds in her system so we’re still prepared for fevers and a sore leg, but hoping for the same experience as the first!”
Stephanie spoke to the Courier the day before the family jetted off and told of the mix of excitement and nerves for a journey that had been 16 months in the planning.
She said there was a “fear of the unknown” because they did not know how the vaccine would affect her daughter.
There would also be lots of free time, including marking Flora’s fourth birthday.
The family said: “We had planned to take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for the day but unfortunately the water was too choppy this morning and Flora began to feel sea sick!
“We had to jump off the boat before we departed and thankfully she felt much better when we got back onto land!
“So instead, we visited the 9/11 memorial, which was beautiful, and took a long walk along the Hudson River to Rockefeller Park.
“We found a lovely play park for Flora, which was a total bonus! She really does enjoy the simple things in life.
“Of course, there’s been plenty of pretzels and Twinkies thrown in too!”
Fundraising efforts for Flora’s Fight saw nearly £300,000 raised, with the extra money on top of the £252,000 needed used to make the flights more comfortable for the youngster.
To make a donation, go to solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora
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