by Michael Devlin

BABY Katie Maguire celebrated her first birthday this week to the delight of family, friends and well-wishers.

Receiving treatment at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, it is understood she is yet making progress.

"September 1 marks the start of the school year buy to our family it was the happiest day of our lives as little baby Katy reached her first birthday," Katie's grandmother, Bernie McCann remarked on Tuesday. "Katie's great-granny was 80 years old yesterday too and that was a great double celebration. Even though they were miles apart, Katie will always be in our hearts."

Katie was originally refused a referral to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London so her family launched the Keep Baby Katie Awake campaign to raise the £250,000 necessary to provide treatment at the children's hospital in Chicago.

Katie suffers daily seizures which are stopping her brain from developing. However, medical experts in America are hopeful they can bring her condition under control.

"We can't even begin to imagine everything her small body has come through in the past year but against all the odds, little Katie has fought on and is now going from strength to strength each day, thanks to the doctors and nurses in Chicago," Mrs McCann continued.

"Katie went through a small operation just recently and everything went well. She now has had all her tubes removed."

Mrs McCann also has a word of thanks to all the local people who have helped Katie in any way.

"The general public in Northern Ireland should be proud of themselves for helping Katie come as far as she has," she added.

THANKS

The Keep Katie Awake Fund would like to thank the generosity of the public for all the money raised during the street collection on Friday August 29. A total of £550 was raised. Thanks is also extended to Caroline, Jill, Mary, Emma, Tony and Shauna.