Shropshire Star

Shropshire firm boosts little Lauren's Disney visit

Brave eight-year-old Lauren Edwards, who is due to undergo her second bone marrow operation this month, has collected a cheque from a Shropshire company to help pay for a trip to Disneyland.

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Lauren, who is due to undergo her second bone marrow transplant, is hoping to visit Disneyland in Paris.

Her plight caught the attention of Telford-based company, Stadco, where employees decided to do something to help.

Stadco have a fund set up, which employees can nominate worthy causes to receive a cash donation, and has donated £450.

Lauren's father, Lee Edwards of Broadway Ketley in Telford, said: "It is fantastic to have this donation and we really, really appreciate it.

"They do not know Lauren or us personally so it's great to see people helping her out like this.

"A lot of friends and family have been asking if they could do anything to help us raise some money, and so many people sponsored my mum's head shave the other week.

"Lauren feels like a bit of a star, having her photo in the paper and we are aiming to take her to Disneyland next Christmas, as that is when she definitely wants to go."

Sadly it looks like Lauren will have to spend Christmas in hospital, so her family decided by going to Disneyland next Christmas is something for her to look forward to.

Lee added: "We have already had our Christmas Day and we have a Christmas tree in the house so Lauren could celebrate it at home."

But her father says Lauren is still the same little, smiley girl and is just getting on with everything.

"She's very brave, like most kids are in these situations, and she deals with it so well," he added.

Lauren was due to go into hospital this week, but due do some complications the family are still waiting to find out exactly when she will have her transplant.

The procedure will take place at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

When she was eight months old Lauren underwent her first transplant procedure after being diagnosed with a rare immune disorder known as Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency 1 (LAD type 1) when she was two weeks old after falling ill a week after she was born.

And in July, Lauren developed a serious fungal infection in her airways, which resulted in her being rushed into theatre to have a tracheostomy fitted, to allow her to breath while she received treatment for the infection.

As well as the donation from Stadco, Lauren's grandmother, Pauline, took part in a sponsored head shave the other week and managed to raise around £800.

Nick Dunn, of Stadco, said: "We saw the story in the Shropshire Star at the start of the month and a few employees got talking about it.

"I then bumped into her nan after the head shave, and I spoke to her and that really tugged on the heart strings so as a company we decided to donate £450 to Lauren for her trip to Disneyland.

"We also gave her a giant Olaf from Frozen toy and a puzzle so she has something to take into hospital with her.

"I think Lauren really enjoyed herself and she even got to sit in the bosses chair for the day. We just really wanted to make a bit of fuss for her because she will be in hospital for Christmas."

The company are also planning on doing some more fundraising events in the new year, so Lauren can have some spending money for her holiday.

The Shropshire Star covered her journey seven years ago. She had her first transplant when she was only eight months old after being in and out of hospital on intravenous antibiotics.

Unfortunately, despite a popular campaign Lauren's family was unable to find a full match for her and the transplant only provided her with very low donor cells., leaving her with partial LAD.

To follow Lauren's progress, visit facebook.com/bonemarrowmatchforlauren

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