An incredible £2,260 has been raised in just one day to go towards a £5,000 wheelchair for a Cwmbran teenager who is having her leg amputated above the knee tomorrow.
Tia Leigh, aged 13, lives in Northville and was born with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a condition that causes tumours to grow along her nerves.
At 15 months old she lost her sight in her right eye due to a tumour on her optic nerve. At the age of nine a tumour grew on her left eye optic nerve. Regular check ups and MRI scans are monitoring this eye.
NF1 has also affected her right leg and she has had three operations in the last seven years to correct a 7cm leg length discrepancy. One of the many tumours in this leg turned malignant. An operation last year removed a 10cm mass from her leg and buttocks.
But the cancer has returned and the only safe option is for her to have her leg amputated above the knee.
Rachael Leigh, Tia’s aunt, told Cwmbran Life: “We are so proud of Tia. We’re all in bits over it and she’s so positive and brave. She is having her operation on Wednesday 8 July. The money we are raising is to buy her a power-assisted wheelchair which will make her life so much easier after the operation.”
Tia is a pupil at Croesyceiliog School.
Fundraising day at the Six in Hand
Tia’s family are holding a fundraising day on Saturday 5 September at the Six in Hand pub in Croesyceiliog. Keep an eye on Cwmbran Life for more details. Everyone is welcome.
Donate to Tia’s wheelchair campaign
Visit the GoFundMe Page to make a donation. This is the link http://www.gofundme.com/ymarug The family are keen to hear from anyone who has an idea to help them reach the target.