"Everyday is a blessing": Mum launches fundraiser for "life changing" treatment for daughter with severe brain damage
A £50,000 fundraiser has been launched to fund potentially life-changing treatment one year old girl who sustained brain damage following complications at birth.
Ellen Goulding, from Gosport, has launched a GoFundMe page for her one-year-old, Harper, who was diagnosed with severe brain damage, known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), following placenta abruption.
Unexpected complications turned a smooth pregnancy into a nightmare for Ellen. Harper was born on April 14, 2024 after her mum was admitted to hospital for reduced fetal movements, prompting an emergency C-section which revealed the abruption led to her being without access to oxygen and blood, causing considerable damage.
Ellen said: “She needed to be resuscitated, have two major blood transfusions and then was put into therapeutic cooling which was a 72 hour process where they gradually bring the body temperature down and then slowly bring her back to a normal level. There was no oxygen going to her brain which is what caused the HIE.
“An MRI then showed that she had severe brain damage and she did 25 days in the ICU at Queen Alexandra Hospital. She had a feeding tube for six months.
“It can happen to anyone. It is something that is never spoken about at antenatal appointments. No one makes it clear what it can mean. I’m still learning as I’m going but we were never told what the future looks like as it’s different for everyone.”
In Harper’s case, her HIE diagnosis has also caused cerebral palsy, meaning she needs round-the-clock care and specialist treatment on a regular basis.
In an attempt to give her daughter a better quality of life, the 30-year-old has launched a fundraiser for cytotron and stem cell treatment in Mexico which is set to cost in excess of £50,000.
She added: “I have researched different treatments that could be very life changing for Harper. Cytotron is in an MRI-like machine for an hour a day for 28 days and it can regenerate damaged cells with electromagnetic waves. It could really help Harper to gain some normality.
“Cytotron is £35,000 and that is without flights to get out there and accommodation. I know it’s a lot of money but I really do feel that it could benefit her. It has had so many positive outcomes with other children like Harper and I think if I don’t try everything I can, I’d regret it.
“It really is one day at a time which is the hardest part. Everyday we have is a blessing.
“I just want to give her the best life. Up until the day she was born, it was the best pregnancy out of all of my children and for it to go the way it did was not expected whatsoever and because of how it happened it just feels so unfair. I just want to give her the best chance.”
Multiple community events have been organised over the next few months to support the mum of four, with a Big Football Match taking place at Southampton Football Stadium on May 8 for Harper and SANDS. A fun day is due to take place on August 9 at Carisbrooke Pub, in Gosport, and a darts event will go ahead on September 12 at Fareham Social Club.