“Our lives changed when Keona Marie Vella turned two.” These were the words of Chris Vella the father of Keona Marie.

Mr Vella told The Malta Independent that when his daughter, who today is nine years old, was a toddler she started to suffer from a rare epilepsy. This condition continued to get worse when Koena Marie turned five.  He said:“there were many instances were we had to rush her to hospital because she would need medical assistance.”

Mr Vella said that a number of tests and brain scans were carried out at Mater Dei Hospital, and last year, it was decided that Keona Marie be sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. In this hospital which specialises in paediatric care, the little girl spent the last year shuttling back and forth between Malta and London to try and identify what is causing these epileptic fits.

With a broken heart the father told this newsroom that since her first fit, Rita Vella his wife, and he himself barely slept during the night because Keona Marie mainly suffers from them during the night.

Mr Vella said that in Malta there were times where the girl had to stay in hospital for months. “The biggest fear our wife and I have is that Keona Marie does not emerge out of the epileptic fit; in fact at home we have an oxygen cylinder and other medications which help her to calm down.”

Mr Vella added that the last four months were very difficult because she was regularly suffering from these attacks.

The Vella family said that they are well aware that this difficult patch in their lives will not be over soon however they said that the positive vibe that they have as a family will help them surpass this medical problem.

This newsroom also spoke to the little girl who said that when she is in hospital she misses a lot her brother and sister. Koena Marie wanted to thank the medical staff of Mater Dei and Great Ormond Street Hospital for the care they give her and wanted to make sure to tell us that she always obeys them.

During this year the Vella family found a lot of support from the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation and Puttinu Cares together with the Malta House staff. They said that if it wasn’t for them this would have never been possible.

Maltese boy had a successful bone marrow transplant

This year around 20 Maltese patients received cancer treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Amongst these patients there was a little boy who received a bone marrow transplant.

Dr Mark Ethell who is a physician in bone marrow transplant at this hospital explained this to us journalists yesterday. During an official visit by the President Marie Louis Coleiro Preca at the Royal Marsden Hospital she was informed that at the moment two Maltese patients, which she met, are receiving treatment.

Dr Ethell said that at this hospital Maltese patients are mainly treated for leukaemia and other blood related cancers. He told the President that he has been seeing Maltese patients for the past 13 years and twice a year he comes to Malta to follow up certain cases which he had dealt with. 

When asked by this newsroom what is the success rate in this type of cancer Dr Ethell said that it is that around 40%. He said that it is not only patients who come from Malta but each year a number of Maltese doctors receive training in this hospital. 

The President presented a donation on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, towards their ongoing research projects since this Royal Marsden is also a research hospital. The President said that this donation is a sign of gratitude and appreciation towards the care, attention and dedication given to the Maltese patients