BY MARK McKELVEY

HOPES and dreams that baby Katie will receive possible life-saving assessment and treatment in America took a step closer to becoming a reality this week, when her family received notice from Chicago that she will meet the world's foremost epilepsy experts on August 20.

Following a difficult premature birth on September 1 last year Katie has spent most of her short life in hospitals as she has been diagnosed with both cerebral palsy and intractable epilepsy, enduring clusters of seizures 24 hours a day. She is currently on a cocktail of extremely powerful drugs that leave her in a constant state of sedation and suffers from numerous other side affects.

hope

Despite having been told by doctors in Belfast to take their daughter home and enjoy her life while they can, Katie's father Gary McCann, who is originally from Omagh, and his partner Mekila have refused to give up hope for their daughter.

Gary explained what a boost now having a set date has given the Keep Baby Katie Awake campaign as they strive to raise the £250,000 that may be necessary to get Katie the treatment she so desperately needs.

"We have been concentrating so hard on caring for Katie and trying to raise the money, it never really seemed real, but now getting an actual date that is only two months away it is starting to hit hard and become a reality," said Gary who has had to give up work to help care for and monitor Katie's severe seizures.

He continued, "Katie is in a stable condition at present, but once the steroid that she has been given wears off, she will start having clusters of seizures again and we wont be able to fly, so we may have to go out to America earlier to ensure that we are able to make this appointment."

achievement

In only three weeks, through the support of friends, family and strangers they have raised £26,000 which is enough to get Katie to Chicago and pay for the consultation and first round of tests, but there is still a long way to go if they are to reach their target.

Gary added, "We are overwhelmed at the response so far, but we are still conscious that much more is still needed when we get to America to pay for the treatment and rehabilitation that they may suggest."

People have really taken Katie's story into their hearts, illustrated by her 18-year-old cousin Tracy who completely shaved her head at the weekend raising over £1,000 on her own.

With many more fundraising events planned, Gary explained that they are now in the process of organising one massive event that entails the help and participation of every school in the North to hold a non-uniform day on behalf of the Katie's campaign.

He said, "We e-mailed 1,300 schools last Friday making this request and so far the response has been excellent. We hope to hold this event on September 19 and if successful, depending on how many participate, it as the potential of raising the money needed to possibly save Katie's life in one day."

Paralleling the campaign to send Billy Caldwell to Chicago, Gary has been seeking advice from Billy's mum Charlotte and thanked her for all her help to get them to this stage.

thanks

Gary said, "Charlotte has been absolutely great to us. We are in contact with her regularly in Chicago and we really wouldn't be at this stage so quickly without her help.

"Speaking to her and hearing how Billy's condition has improved so much in America, despite having been given the same diagnosis of no hope of life or a future that Katie has been given is overwhelming.

"Well we are willing to fight for Katie, with your help."

For information about Katie's story and information how to make a donation visit her website www.keepbabykatieawake.com

"We are overwhelmed at the response so far, but we are still conscious that much more is still needed when we get to America."

– Gary McCann