Our Daughter Louise Spinks was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor in August 2013 when only 8 months old.

Before the surgeons could remove the tumour Louise had 4 weeks of chemotherapy treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The tumour which was removed late September 2013 measured 13cm x 13cm and was removed along with her right kidney, Ovary and Fallopian tube and surrounding lymph nodes, five weeks after diagnosis. Upon testing the tumour they discovered that it had breached into her liver requiring aggressive chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. We were also told it was stage 3 cancer. 

Whilst all this was going on we were informed that the Wilms Tumour was caused by and underlying Kidney Disease called Dennys-Drash Syndrome which would in turn cause Renal Failure resulting in a future Kidney Transplant. It also became apparent that Louise was also suffering with neuphrotic Syndrome which is a protein leak.   

A few days after surgery Louise was discharged from Alder Hey but less than 24 hours later Louise was blue lighted back with a condition called Chylous Ascites where fat leaks into her abdomen building up and cutting of her lungs from working. Following this discovery we spent over 4 months in Alder Hey draining 47 litres of fluid, 3 emergency operations and a cardiac arrest.

In early December we were told Louise's remaining kidney function was getting worse and would require dialysis immediately and she had a line fitted and started dialysis. 

We were discharged as inpatients on January 2 2014. My wife now travels to Alder Hey 4-5 times per week so Louise can have her dialysis. 

On one occasion the particular dialysis machine Louise was on had a fault and caused her to suffer her second cardiac arrest. 

In the weeks following Louise's blood pressure rocketed which led to us spending more time as a inpatient. It was decided that her remaining kidney would be removed on early April but unfortunately the surgery was cancelled minutes before Louise was due to go to theatre. 

Her remaining kidney was finally removed on 28 May and went to intensive care following the operation as a precaution. She will now continue to face dialysis 7 days a week after swapping to PD dialysis from HD, and will be on a limited fluid intake of around 400 to 600ml a day.

Louise stopped all treatment for cancer in early February 2014 and is now in remission. She must wait 2 years following this before she is eligible for transplant as she needs to let the drugs get completely out of her system to give her the best chance of her body accepting the new kidney. Since August Louise has had over 10 operations and been put to sleep over 30 times for theatre and treatments. A massive amount for such a young person. She is also fed through a tube in her belly as the chemotherapy has put her off taking anything orally. 

Louise now receives dialysis at home each night for 12 hours per night.

Now... We want to give something back.

We want to raise £500,000 for Alder Hey Hospital's D2 ward so they can buy new dialysis machines and other equipment. We have a few other ideas where we would like some of the money to go but we will discuss this with the charity when we are getting close to the target, our main aim for now is hit the first £19000 and get a dialysis machine! 

You can donate on this page or text BSUK60 £3 to 70070 - The amount can be altered if you would like to give and more/less all is appreciated.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/abergele-parents-baby-girl-fighting-6781239

https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Spinks1/

£1000 Given via check by Ray Wilson of Bebbington and Wilson LTD towards his sponsored bike ride on 18/07/2014. http://www.bebbingtonwilson.co.uk 

£150 Given in checks towards the Bebbington and Wilson bikeride. 

£2383.50 Donated by Kathryn Murray for various charity events.

Continueous money spent on toys and games for ward D2 & C3, donated by Hilary and Derek Spinks and friends.