The Ospreys have thrown their weight behind a campaign to raise funds that will allow a Neath two-year old to receiving ground breaking medical treatment in America.
Freya Bevan was just 19 months old when diagnosed with a brain tumour last April, and is being treated at University Hospital Wales. Her treatment to date has including two major brain surgeries (one of which lasted over seven hours), five rounds of intense chemotherapy and, in December, a stem cell transplant. During her treatment she has suffered a mini-stroke and two seizures, and despite this her spirit continues to shine through.
The best treatment for Freya is Proton Beam Therapy, which needs to begin immediately. However, it is currently only available outside of the UK, at the Jacksonville Proton Centre in Florida, USA. The treatment will not become available in the UK for another three years.
Andrew Hore, Chief Executive, Ospreys Rugby, said:
“Freya is a wonderful llttle girl who remains cheerful and positive despite everything she has been through, and continues to go through. She is an example to us all. We are honoured to be able to use our high profile to support her parents, John Paul and Katherine, in their efforts to raise the money needed to potentially fund this treatment privately.”
The Freya Bevan Trust Fund has been established to raise awareness of Freya's case and to date have raised substantial funds to support Freya for every eventuality.
There is a Facebook page (Freya-Bevan-Fund) and a Twitter account (@FreyaBevan_Fund), allowing the public to follow the appeal and fund raising events, while a PayPal page has also been established, in order to accept donations, which you can find here.
Members of the squad and members of the management team will be wearing special Freya Bevan Trust Fund bands at Friday’s PRO12 game against Edinburgh to show their support.