Adam and Kathie Potts, parents of three-year-old Annabelle, who is fighting a brave battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontene Glioma, have received news that their daughter has been accepted into a medical trial in England, which may extend her life expectancy by up to three years.

The new treatment, called CED (Convection Enhanced Delivery) delivers drugs directly to the tumor via surgical implantation of very fine catheters into the brain using a dedicated robotic technique.

Kathie said the family had been bolstered by all the support from the community.

“Annabelle's diagnosis is by far the worst thing that can ever happen to our family, but the beautiful people around us are certainly making a horrible situation much easier to deal with and you are giving us the strength to get through each day,” she said.

“From our wonderful families and extended families who are supporting us emotionally, to our beautiful friends bringing us cooked meals and food. To the strangers and new friends organising fundraising and leaving little gifts at our door for Annabelle and William, with heartfelt messages. We are truly touched.”

Annabelle and her parents will need to travel to the UK initially for the surgery and then every four to six weeks for infusions. 

The family is currently trying to raise funds to cover this treatment, as costs in current trials are in excess of $250,000.

The public have already rallied to raise close to $136,000 via a GoFundMe page (Love for Annabelle), but the family are still a long way short of the amount required.

Annabelle completed a six-week course of daily radiation treatment, which shrank the tumour slightly, but it was not enough to save the little girl. The family needs to be in London within the next few weeks, before the tumour starts to increase in size again, for Annabelle to remain eligible for the trial.