DEVOTED parents are hoping to raise £250,000 to send their daughter to the USA to receive what could be life-saving treatment.

Brave Breya Ward, who is two, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancerous tumour which has taken over her stomach.

Since the diagnosis, on Friday, January 13 Breya has been treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Her mum Holly Robinson and 32-year-old dad Ollie Ward, a sergeant in the 2nd battalion of the Parachute regiment, have barely left Breya’s bedside in the past five weeks and have been given a living area at the hospital.

Doctors have initially placed Breya on a two-year clinical trial treatment programme, which experts hope could fight off the aggressive disease.

But any delay in her treatment will mean she is not eligible for the trial.

A bout of pneumonia has already pushed back her second round of chemotherapy which was due to start yesterday.

Miss Robinson said Breya is bravely battling her illness but she knows pioneering immunotherapy treatment Anti-GD2, which is not freely available in the UK, could be what saves her daughter’s life.

Treatment for Breya’s stage four neuroblastoma typically costs about £250,000 in America.

Gazette: breya

The 28-year-old, who lives off Berechurch Hall Road, in Colchester, said: “She is her daddy’s little girl.

“She is so brave and I think she has been so used to pain she’s stopped showing it. She doesn’t cry - she just gets on with it.

“Breya has been so resilient, she’s just taking it all in her stride.

“If there is a one per cent chance of her getting through this, I know she’ll do it - she is so strong.

“She’s even OK with her hair falling out because she doesn’t like me trying to brush it. I asked her: ‘Do you want your hair or do you want it to fall out?’ and she immediately said ‘out’.”

Miss Robinson, a freelance personal assistant to project managers, added: “She can’t really eat that much at the moment but for the first time in weeks she was down playing on her play mat and that was huge for us. We know she is a fighter.”

Breya was diagnosed after taken ill at home. When her parents took her into hospital in Colchester, initial blood test results showed abnormalities.

Miss Robinson added: “They kept her in for four days. They knew it was cancer but they just didn’t know which one. As soon as she was diagnosed, she was taken to Addenbrooke’s and we’ve been there ever since.”

Breya’s tumour measures 18cm by 14cm and is squeezing her organs.

Mrs Robinson added: “We just need as many people to know Breya’s story as possible.”

Click here to donate to the #TeamBreya campaign.

Fundraisers are already lined up

BATTLING Breya is being backed to beat her cancer. 

Members of 16 Air Assault, the Parachute Regiment, are already planning fundraisers.

Soldiers from the brigade are taking on the Three Peak Challenge - taking in the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales - inside 24 hours and carrying full military supplies. 

They will also take on a six-day 192-mile coast-to-coast challenge carrying full military supplies without any extra support. 

Staff at Breya’s nursery, Cheeky Monkeys, in William Harris Way, are also planning a fundraising event while one staff member is set to skydive to raise cash for her treatment.

The #TeamBreya appeal was launched on Monday night and last night had already raised more than £3,500.

The Gazette is also supporting the appeal and will publicise events being staged for the appeal.

If you are fundraising, contact Ryan Jennings at ryan.jennings@nqe.com.

Mrs Robinson said: “The Army has been absolutely amazing. I couldn’t have done this without Ollie being here with me.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who wants to help.”