FOR three months now, the UH has followed closely the daily fight for life of young Omagh epilepsy sufferer Billy Caldwell.

We have been keeping our readers fully informed of all developments concerning his health and struggle for government funding to allow him avail of life-saving treatment in America.

Billy and his family are now leaving our shores on their harrowing journey to Chicago and UH staff reporter Mark McKelvey will be following them along the way to keep our readers up-to-date with his progress. (All expenses for Mark's trip are being paid by the UH).

Doctors in Chicago have offered Billy a chance of life, something that seemed inconceivable when he was sent home to die from Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital in March 2006.

It is still unknown what specific treatment will be offered until Billy undergoes a thorough assessment and evaluation on September 11, followed by a critical 3D MRI multi-modelling scan of his brain on September 13. This in-depth look at Billy's brain will then determine if he is a candidate for surgery.

As with any brain surgery, there are serious risks involved, but doctors have stated there is a 98% possibility it could give Billy a chance of life, a life that is seizure free and hope of developing and learning in the future.

Reporting from Chicago, Mark will be first to report on all these developments to keep the UlsterHerald and Tyrone Herald readers who have gave so generously to the Billy's Ray of Hope Fund, making this trip possible, informed on how Billy is progressing while in America.

UlsterHerald editor Darach MacDonald said, "The plight of little Billy Caldwell has captured the imagination and stirred the concerns of our entire community. We know our readers wnant to keep informed of his