Here's why....
Caring Matters Now is a registered charity which aims to raise awareness, research and support the sufferers and families of Congenital Melanocytic Naevus. A congenital melanocytic naevus (usually abbreviated to CMN) is one of a wide variety of different types of birthmark that can occur in newborn babies.
CMN, which can be best described as a “giant hairy mole” is a potentially fatal condition which affects thousands to varying degrees. It appears these moles penetrate further into the skin than regular moles and can attach themselves to muscle tissue. Furthermore, melanocytic (pre-cancerous) cells can remain undetected and dormant in the spinal column and brain.
There are about 170 registered families at Caring Matters Now and my family is one of them. My niece Jessica was born with a congenital
melanocytic nevus covering approximately 20% of her body. Initial treatment involved excising the nevus at Ninewells hospital but, after serious complications with the original surgery, leaving Jessica permanently scarred, my brother and his wife urgently requested a referral to Dr Veronica Kinsler at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Dr Kinsler is privately funded by Caring Matters Now
to conduct research into CMN and propose future treatments.
Jessica will require a yearly visit to GOSH and a similar visit to Ninewells hospital as part of her on-going monitoring. The good news is that the most recent MRI results show that Jessica appears to have no pre-cancerous cells located in her spinal chord or brain and that her cognitive development and behaviour appears normal. Unfortunately not every child will have the same results.
Caring Matters Now is a not-for-profit organization, without the good will of family friends and those who care the research could not continue. Therefore from myself and on behalf of my family and all the other families who have been affected by CMN thank you very, very much!!
