Emilia Bonizzi: Family issue urgent £25k appeal for 'brave' girl, 5, after aggressive brain tumour diagnosis

Emilia Bonizzi, described by friends as “a caring, happy-go-lucky little girl with a vibrant spirit who brings pure joy to all those who know her,” was rushed to hospital on July 24 after suddenly telling her mother, Alex, that she had “lost feeling to her right leg” followed by her right arm. Her speech then changed and she “couldn’t find the words to finish her sentences.”

“At this point, panic set in,” the fundraising appeal says. After being rushed to East Surrey Hospital, an emergency MRI delivered “the devastating news of a growth at the base of her brain.” Within hours, she was blue-lighted to St George’s Hospital for specialist care. Following a full MRI under general anaesthetic, doctors confirmed “a large aggressive tumour at the base of her brain, posing an immediate threat to life.”

Just four days after diagnosis, “the incredible surgeon at St George’s Hospital managed to remove the tumour successfully, which was a huge relief.” However, on August 7, biopsy results brought further heartbreak as it was revealed that Emilia suffers from an aggressive high-risk Medulloblastoma.

According to Cancer Research UK, Medulloblastoma is the second most common brain tumour in children and it is the most common malignant (high grade) children’s brain tumour. Medulloblastoma is likely to grow quickly and can spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord. Around 30 out of 100 children (around 30%) have medulloblastoma that has spread when they are first diagnosed.

The fundraiser said Emilia is due to have “a lumbar puncture on Wednesday 13th August to check her spinal fluid and a number of procedures and appointments following that.” She will then begin “daily proton beam radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy at University College London Hospital for 6 weeks, followed by 6 months of further chemotherapy.”

The appeal says: “Emilia is very confused at the age of 5 why she is being put through so much pain but she has been incredibly brave. A strong little girl fighting her way through this. Alex and Seb are so proud of their gorgeous little girl.”

While the NHS is providing “incredible medical care,” the diagnosis has brought “an immense, unforeseen financial pressure” to the family. “Alex and Seb are having to take significant unpaid leave to care for Emilia through her journey. They also have two boys who are equally as important and still need a sense of normality and routine.”

The loss of income, combined with “the ongoing costs of supporting Emilia through this life-threatening process,” has left the family concerned about meeting essential expenses. The fundraising page outlines exactly how donations will help: replacing “vital wages” lost while caring for Emilia, covering “mortgage payments and utility bills,” ensuring the family can “eat a healthy and balanced diet,” paying for childcare for Emilia’s brothers to give them “consistency and a sense of normality,” and meeting “daily 1.5 hour-long” travel and parking costs for hospital visits.

“Alex is also likely to stay up in London with Emilia from Monday to Friday as the journey will be too much for her alongside the treatment. Your contribution will alleviate these ongoing, necessary out-of-pocket expenses,” the appeal says.

Organisers Emma and Nick Watkins wrote: “They are a beautiful family of five facing any parents’ worst nightmare… If we could help ease their money worries, we would be helping them focus entirely on their little Millie.”

The GoFundMe campaign has so far raised over £18,900 of its £25,000 target. “Your generous donation, no matter how small, will help them focus on Emilia’s healing. If you can’t afford to make a donation please share this page to your friends and family. Every little helps, but let’s smash that target and show them how much they are loved!”