Updated: Government to pay for little Leah's treatment
Strong support from timesofmalta.com readers
The parents of Leah Xuereb, a three-year old girl suffering from a very rare stomach cancer, have just been informed by the Health Ministry that their application for government sponsorship of €245,000 has been approved and all the treatment cost will be covered.
The life-saving treatment has to take place in a hospital in Texas, the US which is the only hospital in the world where children with disseminated abdominal cancers can be treated.
Last week, London's Great Ormond Street hospital, where Leah was receiving treatment, informed the Xuereb family that Dr Andrea Hayes-Jordan at the Houston Hospital is considered as the only option for children with similar diseases.
"This type of surgery is not performed in children anywhere else in the world," said Dr Olga Slater, consultant paediatric oncologist at Great Ormond.
Leah will be flown out as soon as possible as she needs to undergo treatment urgently before her cancer starts spreading even further and she is too ill to take in the treatment.
Until yesterday, Leah's life was hanging in the balance while her parents launched a campaign set out to achieve "the impossible" €245,000 in a week, through KidsnCancer.org.uk.
The story on timesofmalta.com went viral on the social media and donations started pouring in. In a matter of a few hours, the amount collected shot up from £9,000 to nearly £60,000.
The family told The Times that the money raised for kidsncancer will be used for the flights and accommodation for Leah. Kidsncancer will keep the money until Leah is declared in remission, any remaining money from this campaign will be distributed to children facing the same challenges. The charity will manage all funds.
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122 Comments
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Giuseppe Azzopardi
Oct 24th 2012, 14:32
I am sure that there is a logical explanation as to why the government intervened directly to help Leah and you really should address your question to the Ministry of Health if you are so curious!!I am NOT!! My only wish is to see this Bundle of joy back to Health!Do you really think for a moment that the present administration did it for political mileage?
Luciano Mule Stagno
Oct 24th 2012, 10:48
"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." - Mahatma Ghandi
Prosit
david debattista
Oct 24th 2012, 10:43
wish our little one all the best of luck . GET WELL SOON !
Mr C Camilleri
Oct 24th 2012, 10:16
Thank God. Prayers must have been heard.
Good Luck little one. I wish you health and love. May God be with you now and ALWAYS. You surely deserve a happy healthy life.
Janica Debono
Oct 24th 2012, 09:42
Proset.
m. borg (slm)
Oct 24th 2012, 09:42
For once a good decision by the Health authorities.
Well done.
Peter Maughan
Oct 24th 2012, 09:38
Just sometimes I really wish I was Maltese........................................
Derek Grillo
Oct 24th 2012, 09:38
What a wonderful way to start my day! I've really had it to the brim with Debono this and Gonzi that and Muscat whatever... reading news like this rekindles my hope in our tiny nation.
Little bouncy Leah, you're in our prayers :)
Adam Calleja Urry
Oct 24th 2012, 09:07
I can't believe some of the people's comments here. Honestly, must a story like this also be turned into something political? So what if it was a propaganda from the government? try telling that to the parents of young Leah, they have just been given a chance for their daughter to be cured and you're going on about propagandas. Get Well Soon Leah, stay strong. x
MT Caruana
Oct 24th 2012, 08:58
So the money was found very good.
We can continue to help this little angel by praying for her.
I wish you a speedy recovery and may you grow up to be a healthy young lady. You are in my prayers.
Joseph Camilleri
Oct 24th 2012, 08:56
Good news indeed.
I only hope though that the Government's action was not a result of media awareness and ensuing public sentiment created through The Times report of yesterday. The first question that came to mind was, had the parents already knocked on the government's door for assistance, and was this denied them, only to be changed now given the media coverage?
Karl Brincat
Oct 24th 2012, 08:55
This is a cause which explains why we should be happy to work and pay taxes.. lets hope that together we can make a difference to this little girl. God bless her.
D Hamlet
Oct 24th 2012, 08:51
Proud to be Maltese !!
Claire Busuttil
Oct 24th 2012, 08:43
Well, I really cannot understand the whole situation. I know other people that with the help of the government and entities like the community chest fund, got their expensive treatment abroad. so, why was this particular case different??
For me it seems like a whole propaganda to ultimately give extra merit to the government.
Anyway.....I wish the best of luck to this little lovely girl.
Franco Vella
Oct 24th 2012, 08:41
God Bless you Leah.....you're in our prayers :)
G Mugliett
Oct 24th 2012, 08:38
Well done! Very good news.
Mario Vella
Oct 24th 2012, 08:27
Finally a good news. That is how our taxes should be used. I am very proud to live in this country.
Martin Spiteri
Oct 24th 2012, 08:24
Really glad that my taxes are finally used for a good cause!
Joe Naudi
Oct 24th 2012, 08:17
That is really great news that the Government of Malta is willing to pay for treatment to Leah Xuereb Best of luck to Leah and God bless. From Joe P
Karl Grech
Oct 24th 2012, 08:12
Great news. The mix between the power of social media and the positive response from the Maltese government has made this possible. Best wishes to Leah and her family. Look forward to reading even more positive news after the treatment.
Peter Bonello
Oct 24th 2012, 08:01
I am really happy that my taxes will actually be used for something so noble for a change! I really wish a world of good for little Leah after what she had to go through! Good luck and God bless!!
Michelle Galea
Oct 24th 2012, 07:21
The best news of the year :)
HERMANN PAUL FARRUGIA
Oct 24th 2012, 07:16
"Give and you shall receive,
Seek and you shall find,
Knock & it will be open unto you!"
I guess there remain very few places on our Globe wherein these famous Christ's words ,He spelt out for
Us on The Mount, to this day turn out to come literally true.
Thanks to our Government, Community Chest Fund,Puttinu Cares & the likes,that lead the way.
mariella mifsud
Oct 24th 2012, 06:47
Where can we donate?donation page is suspended. thanks
Wenzu Vella
Oct 24th 2012, 06:47
I hope this gesture of good will by the government would not become a political farce. We as people should help in these situations by being supportive in anyway possible. Our best wishes Leah Xuereb
Peter Bonello
Oct 24th 2012, 08:02
the government did not fork out that money... we did as tax payers, and we (I hope all of us) are glad we could help. if GonziPN tries to use it, well i am sorry but that would be reaching a new low!!
Lucienne Dimech
Oct 24th 2012, 06:28
Best of luck hope all goes for the best
Mr Adrian Zahra
Oct 24th 2012, 02:47
For once I am happy to pay taxes.
Cornelius Murphy
Oct 24th 2012, 02:18
Excellent news! Luckily it's election time and the people's voice has been heard.
Colin Stanley
Oct 24th 2012, 01:40
prosit hope everything ends well, for this little angel
Dennis Baltzis
Oct 24th 2012, 00:32
Well done to the Government!! Hope all the best!! It is always nice when they treat you as a human been and not as a number!! I hope that she will come back healthy and full of life!!
C. Bonnici
Oct 24th 2012, 00:23
Well done Gov. of Malta on this one. Minister Joe Cassar, we do not always back you up, but your work on cases such as this calls for recognition. Well done. And we wish Leah all the best. Keep strong.
George Attard
Oct 24th 2012, 00:07
from a story that broke our hearts this morning to ending it with such great news. Pleasantly surprised that the government is using our tax money to go towards this.
One thing has entered my mind though is, will the government do such a thing again if there is a similar case? Or what about the other families who need money for operations, will they start forking money out to others also?
Ms.D. Galea
Oct 24th 2012, 00:05
Tax payer money spent for a good cause - for a change.
Good luck ,pupa.
Robert Calafato
Oct 23rd 2012, 23:58
Hang in there Leah, we are all praying for you!! God Bless!
Jurgen Cuschieri
Oct 23rd 2012, 23:38
good luck and get well soon little one! we should be truly proud of our little in size but extra generous country. when it comes to saving someone's life, money is never wasted.
David Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 23:26
Proud to be maltese and a good reason to show how united we still are as a nation when ignoring political aspects!! Wish Leah a full recovery.
maria aquilina
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:58
Good news.All sick people that need treatment and is not available locally, must be sent anywhere in the world where treatment is available. I am very happy for this girl.As a mother I know the feelings when you are want to give something to your child and you cannot afford it,especially not to see your child dying..A prayer for the family.
D Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:39
where is the American Ambassador?
any helping hand madam?
Mark Randon
Oct 24th 2012, 08:15
Well said , well said !!
Schembri Ray
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:38
we'll pray for you little angel.
Mark Mangion
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:37
Makes me think - now why ca't we always be like this with each other, everyday, in this little island of ours. When the going gets tough we, as a nation with all our limitations, never fail to respond beyond all expectations. God speed little Leah.
Adrian Stivala
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:18
Good luck little angel, may all your wishes be answered, lots of people praying for you, xxxxx
Toni Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:18
Great news!!!
But what about the millions collected annually by the Community Chest Fund??
Shouldn't these funds be used for such a cause?
Hope all goes well for Leah
Joseph Tabone
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:17
G O O D O N E!
God bless.
Carmen Debono
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:01
Hooray! The power of media and the people. Our prayers are with you.
Andrew James Brown
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:58
reading these comments has rekindled my pride in my country, thanks folks!
Karen Camilleri
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:49
Of course.... That's a special way of spending our taxes in a so much deserved cause. Hope all goes very well.
Charles DeMicoli
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:48
Awesome news! May the force be with you, Princess. You are in our prayers.
Mark Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:48
That is great news! well done... i don't mind that my taxes are used for such a good cause....
Neville Carabott
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:47
This a very nice gesture from all concerned.I was one of the first people to donate online for this little angel and i am proud to say that i involved many people by calling them and sending them the link to donate.I wish that all maltese will continue to give their donations to this family because i am sure that they will need much more money apart from the sum that the goverment is paying.XXXXXX
joseph borg st john
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:45
prosit to the authorities another good deed .good luck and God bless you Leah .
J. Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:39
That's a very good decision by this government! Good luck little angel!
Pauline Thompson
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:33
Fabulous news - may little Leah returns home healthy so that she can lead a normal life. May God bless you little one. xx
Natasha Cassar
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:24
This is how our taxes should be spent...well done.
Godfrey Smith
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:20
This is one rare moment where i am glad I pay taxes. Hope Leah will recover fast.
Ms D. Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:12
May God bless you and be with you always.
Ray Mercieca
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:11
Feel so proud to be Maltese. When something like this happens all Maltese are there to give there support. Well done Authorities, well Maltese people. Good luck pupa!! May God be with you and your family.
Martin Saliba
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:11
Dont get me wrong , this is very goods news , money well spent and hopefully the treatment will be a sucsses and leah will be cured for life but why wasnt the girl " Amanda without a smile " not given the same treatment , money wise , especially when the sum need for her treatment was about 33 ,000 Maltese Lira and the longer it took for the parents to collect the money the costs rose ?
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:51
Fair point.....
Stephen Frendo
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:08
No problem if our taxes are spent on illness. Hope that dear Leah will do well.
S Falzon
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:59
What great news! God bless little Leah and her family.
J. Camilleri
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:58
Madonna tal-Grazzji hu hsieb lil din it-tifla.
Rosalind Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:58
This is an excellent investment! Good luck Leah, you're in my prayers.
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 24th 2012, 06:29
I wouldn't call it an investment but very happy that this family found support
A. Mifsud
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:44
God bless you pupa! I'm really overjoyed to the fact that our society as a whole can contribute towards this noble cause for treatment. Charity begins at home.
Where life is at stake no amount of money should be considered too high.
Kevin Marks
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:41
Thank you God...thanks ......go for it young lady you deserve to live....What a great news !!
Mr Jamie Frendo
Oct 24th 2012, 07:49
Why are you thanking god? the church or god didnt give the money the people of malta paid with taxes, donations and the government which I am so happy about. The church rather spend 200,000Euro on an anti divorce campaign.
W St.John
Oct 24th 2012, 08:27
Yes Mr.Marks agree with you THANKS GOD !!
Joe Busuttil
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:31
Very happy to pay taxes to be spent like this. Good luck little angel ,and hope that every thing turns out ok.
T Mifsud
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:51
I concur!
Jo Sciberras
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:29
What great news! Well done to our authorities for accepting this worthy cause. Good luck dear Leah. May God bless you.
william cauchi
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:27
Good decision, that's how our hard earned money should be spent, to help those really in need.
Anthony Galea
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:26
Good news for once , I hope the Times will keep us updated on her progress....
S.M. Cuschieri
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:26
Reading this article made me feel shame....shame for all the times, including today, that I felt so fed up with life. But on coming home to my healthy three year old daughter I realised that it is shameful for me to complain. Get well soon little Leah.
Eddy Privitera
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:26
This is how money should be spent, according to priorities and not on senseless projects.
Paul Meilak
Oct 23rd 2012, 21:52
God Bless Leah !
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:49
For once I agree with you
J Martinelli
Oct 23rd 2012, 23:09
What are YOUR priorities, Eddy?
Always a fly in the ointment. Couldn't suffer a good thing without throwing a jibe, right?
It wouldn't be you, eh?
Many people lead useful lives, others spend their lives senselessly.
A Trapani
Oct 24th 2012, 00:27
incredible eddy... the only one trying to politicize such a delicate issue.
Daniela Attard
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:24
Now is this expenditure I would like to see more of!! Good luck angel we will be sending you healing energy xxx
Martina Fenech
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:16
Proud to be maltese. All the maltese people are always ready to help each other. Thank God we have charities as well Such as Puttinu Cares and Malta Community chest fund and i'm sure they're helping them a lot!
claudia sciberras
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:16
Wow !! such a great news .. good luck Leah
George Cutajar
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:16
No words can describe my joy. Great to be Maltese.
Andre Grech
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:13
Well done Mr. Government. This is how money should be spent. Leah you will be in our prayers. Good luck !!
Ian Vella
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:06
This is the type of news I like to read :)
Kurt Galea Pace
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:04
WELL DONE to the Gov. Good luck little Angel xx
Peter Murray
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:57
Great news but they sure took their time didn' t they. Kudos to the Times for highlighting this poor wee lassies plight and may her God take care of her .
Peter Agius
Oct 23rd 2012, 22:02
Put your stories in the media and you will get precedence. Stay put and hope for a miracle and your child dies.
Manuel Scicluna
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:54
Good luck Leah. Get well soon
Matthew Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:54
Congratulations!!!!! Best of luck :D
twanny borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:53
prosit ahbar sabiha. prosit ukoll ghat-times li gabet din l-istorja. zgur li l-ferh li l-familja sejra torqod illum diga' huma flus minfuqa tajjeb.
Joanne Micallef
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:47
What wonderful news
Ganni Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:47
Look at that gorgeous face and tell me how much money it's worth!
Charles Vassallo
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:46
This little angel may now be given professional treatment and health care. Well done to the authorities concerned. However on another note, if we all could have donated just €1.00 for te cause...
Joe Busuttil
Oct 23rd 2012, 20:59
We have all donated as the money was provided by the govt. ( from our taxes.) However, we can donate more. What I would like to see are bank accounts or donation boxes at banks or shops where one can simply slip in a few euros as not everyone is computer savvy or has a credit or debit card. I urge the Times to brings similar cases to public knowledge whenever help is needed.
ruth klotzer
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:44
I will pray for you little Leah xxxxx
Abigail Bugeja
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:38
I'm honestly thrilled at hearing such great news! Big good luck to you Leah!
D Buttigieg
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:37
Prosit! Kuragg Leah! Ahna nitolbu ghalik u ghall-familja tieghek.
A. Sciberras
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:35
This to me is more effective than any political billboard that anyone can put up! Well done to the authorities & well done to the Maltese public.
Lianella Formosa
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:34
That's really great news, and money is well spent !! May she gets well very soon and all goes well. Where there is a will there's always a way in life!! so happy for her
Daniel Dimech
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:32
Ahbar tajba .... Kuragg
Victor Pulis
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:32
Well done. Every cent well worth it. may the treatment leave the desired effect. Good luck leah!
Lorraine Farrugia
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:29
What great news,money well spent,prosit to all concerned. Let's hope little Leah will be ok. God bless
Chris Sacco
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:29
Ohhhh! God bless and a speedy recovery. I hope and pray that all goes well for you Leah.
Rodlean Said
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:27
Prosit and a million thanks to all those who helped in achieving this! God heard our prayers!!!
Joe Borg
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:26
finally some taxes well spent!! :)
Franco Attard Trevisan
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:23
Brilliant!!!! Now that is the correct way of spending our money mr Government!
Keep strong little Leah :)
Ivan Visanich
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:21
Well done to who took this decision to help little Leah ... So nice that when in times of trouble,be it the government,the opposition and us the Maltese in general we always reach for our pockets and help those in desperate need .. Would have been shameful for Leah to depart so early , just pray that all goes well and she gets to live a normal happy life just like all other kids do ...
Paul Zammit
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:18
This is indeed great news .... delighted!
Albert Critien
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:15
It is news of this nature that makes us proud of being Maltese, God be with you Leah
Mr Joe Frendo
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:15
A Very Big Well Done to the Minister and the Government! Money is always well spent when saving a life!
God be with you in Texas Leah and your parents!
JF
M cauchi
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:14
There’s been lots of crying and crying these past 14 months, but I just try to keep myself strong,” the mother said.
well some of that crying is being alleviated... Good news at its best
God bless you dear, we are all, behind you, all praying for your cure.
to your parents.. Hang on in there, and NEVER NEVER give up hope.
Alfred Falzon
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:13
Well done to the Minister for Health for supporting this noble cause. I do hope that the Malta Community Chest Fund will support the family in this time of need.
Dennis Zammit
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:15
I hope that the Malta Community Chest fund also supports other less popular genuine cases.
Lucienne Spiteri
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:12
Good luck little Leah. God Bless you
Dennis Zammit
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:12
Good Luck young Leah and Well Done to the Govt.
A real people's Government.
Andrew Agius
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:10
Fantastic news! Well done to the government for listening, and caring.
That's made my day!
D Zahra
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:08
Finally a news about our government worth applauding! Really happy for the Xuereb family... i was one who gave a donation after reading The Times article. I do not mind my donation going towards other kids in need.
J. Abela
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:06
These are our taxes well spent. Makes me proud of being Maltese. Lets hope the operation is successful and Leah lives to tell her tale to her children
Andrea Schembri
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:05
Fl-ahhar smajna xi haga sabiha fuq il-gvern. Prosit ministru. 100 points fuq din.
Dave Alan Caruana
Oct 23rd 2012, 19:05
Money well spent .. hope it turns out well for Leah! Godspeed you.
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