THE CITY has rallied to help a ‘brave’ Coventry baby girl diagnosed with cancer aged just eight months old as her family looks to raise the cash needed for life-saving treatment.
Several Coventry businesses, schools and organisations have rallied for Hallie Reeve, sharing her GoFundMe page and organising events to raise much-needed cash.
Next Sunday (July 16), Kitchen 126 will be hosting a baby and children’s clothes and toy sale between 2pm and 6pm, with all the cash going to support Hallie’s cause.
On July 22, the Paul Sowerby Memorial Day six-a-side football tournament will be held at Butts Park Arena to raise cash for Hallie.
The tournament will start at midday, with a raffle also taking place on the day to raise extra cash.
Search ‘Paul Sowerby Memorial Day/ Tournament’ for more information on how to donate a raffle prize or how to get involved.
Hallie was diagnosed with Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) while on her first family holiday in Spain last summer.
The 20-month-old was flown home and began treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) where she underwent chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants and blood transfusions.
However, her family said the latest stem cell transplant has not worked and the leukaemia has returned.
The family said they have been informed by the children’s hospital the only way to save Hallie’s life involves a CAR T-cell therapy trial.
Hallie’s aunt Hannah Dugdale, who has started a GoFundMe page for her ‘gorgeous’ niece, said this trial would hopefully be starting in Great Ormond Street Hospital very soon.
However, she added if not, this therapy would have to take place in America, with the family being told this would be their best option.
She said this would cost over £1million as a third transplant can’t be funded by the NHS, and the therapy Hallie needs requires one.
Hannah’s appeal has so far raised over £300,000 since the GoFundMe page was first launched over the weekend.
Over 13,000 people have donated to the cause, with some giving as much as £5,000 to help support Hallie.
Hannah said Hallie was the sweetest girl who has tackled her treatment with a smile on her face.
She added: “Hallie is so gentle and kind-natured, a carbon copy of her mummy, and deserves to be given every chance at a long and happy life.
“As a family, from the bottom of our hearts, we ask you to help save our Hallie.
“Even the smallest of donations will go towards saving her life.”
Any of the cash raised not used for Hallie’s treatment will be donated to a charity supporting similar causes.
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/rally-for-hallie to donate to Hallie.
