Eva (2) flies to USA for life-saving op

Little Eva suffers from a rare cancer of the brain and has flown to Florida for specialist treatment this week.

The two-year-old is the daughter of Claire Pearce, nee Stevenson, and granddaughter of George and Joan Stevenson from Lurgan.

She was diagnosed last March with Grade 3 anaplastic Ependymoma.

Having already endured many hours of surgery and chemotherapy, the little girl is now awaiting treatment at the USA Proton Therapy Center in Florida.

With mum Claire and dad Kenny and her five older brothers, little Eva flew to America last week and is due to start therapy this Friday.

Grandmother Joan said it has been very hard on the whole family. “She is a great wee girl. She is coping with it a lot better than us.”

Joan said the whole family is very grateful for everyone’s prayers and all the fundraising to help keep the family together in the States during little Eva’s months of treatment.

Indeed last week Clougher and Rural Development Group raised £7,500 during a special raffle and auction and would like to thank everyone who made generous donations.

The campaign is close to their hearts as little Eva is the granddaughter of lodge Chaplin George Stevenson. “This total would not have been possible without the help of LOL529 and the RBP139 who both sent out appeals to lodges in the surrounding area. Both the rural and social development group and George have been greatly humbled by the response to these appeals.”