Please send Jasmine to Disneyland

Jasmine Beedles is five years old and has DiGeorge syndrome, which in her case affects her heart, lungs and bowel. Her parents, Sam and Ben (who are friends of another DiGeorge parent I know and who contacted me about this), have been told she doesn't have long to live because her heart, which is in the wrong place, is failing and can no longer be 'fixed'. "We have to go back to the hospital next week to do an end of life plan, which we are both dreading," Jasmine's mother told her local newspaper .

What Jasmine really wants to do is go to Disneyland (she's pictured on her first visit) one more time to celebrate her sixth birthday in June, but it's expensive and her parents are not well off. 

"Jasmine kept asking to stay in the Pink Hotel when we were there, but when we priced this up it is going to cost £5,000 because we need to take two carers. We are looking to raise this money for her, as it will be her last holiday and we want to make it as special as possible, because she deserves it," Jasmine's mother said.

I can't bear it. Jasmine's mother is anxious not to be seen as "scrounging for money", but let's just ignore that. You can send a cheque (made out to Ben Beedles) via the the journalist who wrote the story I've linked to above -- Stephen Mather, smather@cheshire.newsquest.co.uk at the St Helen's Star, 23a Hardshaw Street, St Helens, Merseyside. WA10 1RT; or you can send one  directly to Jasmine's dad, Ben Beedles, 21 Walkers Lane, Sutton Manor, St Helen's, Merseyside, WA9 4DX.

I wouldn't normally do this - there are charities such as the Make A Wish Foundation who specialise in this kind of thing, but frankly time is of the essence, plus I got a letter this morning which made me cry, from the mother of a child with DiGeorge who died last year, aged 41, because the relevant surgery wasn't available when she was little, so DiGeorge and mortality are on my mind. And now I'm off to count my blessings. 

Comments

[London gal]

Thought you might like to know, just been on the page and it looks like the total has been raised.

[London gal]

Oh - just discovered there's a Justgiving site set up by the DiGeorge charity Max Appeal....much easier than sending a cheque....
www.justgiving.com/jasminesholiday

[London gal]

Good for you India. Doing something is always better than doing nothing....and frankly if we can help Jasmine, it frees up Make a Wish money for other children. A cheque is on its way.

[Bernard Stedman]

There is a donation page for Jasmine's holiday available at Justgiving:

http://www.justgiving.com/jasminesholiday

The page was created by Max Appeal, the UK charity supporting families with DiGeorge/ VCFS/ 22q11 syndrome, and is fully supported by Sam and Ben Beedles on behalf of Jasmine.

Please donate if you can!

[Emma C]

Hoping that Jasmines last wish comes true.

Hugs to you India xx

[karen keegan]

thank you for commenting on this condition.
i am jasmines grandmother and really appreciate what you have done for my lovely, and very clever little angel. we as a family promise to do everything we can for jasmine. i am planning a special party for her 6th birthday. many thanks and kind regards. karen keegan . bens mum xx