The family of a six-year-old girl battling a brain tumour that left her blind say they are desperate to save a dream trip for the little girl, which is at risk after insurance costs spiralled.
Routine Eye Test Reveals Tumour
Sienna's life changed after a routine eye exam on February 9 caught swelling on the little girl's optic nerve. After a brain scan, doctors confirmed Sienna had a tumour that could not be removed through surgery. The child started an 18-month course of chemotherapy to try to fight the tumour, but it led to Sienna losing her vision.
This diagnosis came weeks after Sienna and her family received tickets to Walt Disney World in Florida, but their trip was put at risk after the girl's travel insurance was voided. The family were told the cost would increase by £5,000 for Sienna due to her diagnosis.
Insurance Nightmare
Sienna's mum, Emma Louise Lloyd, 37, said: 'I just couldn't believe it, she'd been so excited and I just couldn't do it to her.' The family, from Aberdare, Wales, had a four-week trip to Florida booked for October and were originally quoted £232 to cover travel insurance for the family of five.
Following Sienna's diagnosis, the insurance for the girl alone shot up to a staggering £5,083 for the holiday. The mum recalled the moment Sienna, her sister, and six cousins found out about the holiday on Christmas Day, according to the BBC.
Emma said: 'It was the last surprise, we had all the children, all of her cousins sat here... it was just magical, they were all screaming they were. They were just all bouncing around so happy.'
Five weeks after that special moment, an optician noticed swelling behind the six-year-old's eyes during the routine test. A brain scan at Prince Charles Hospital revealed Sienna had a brain tumour, and she was rushed to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff for treatment.
Diagnosis and Fundraising
The family revealed the only symptom Sienna experienced was that her eyesight was slowly starting to go. Sienna was diagnosed with grade 1 glioma, a low-grade type of brain tumour made up from supportive tissue of the brain. This glioma led to Sienna's vision loss.
Sienna's auntie, Jessica Gill, said GreatCover insurance told the family the cover was void due to the six-year-old's diagnosis. The family has set up a fundraiser to help cover the costs.
