Daryl’s family ‘devastated’ after NHS refuse funding for a second time

Young Daryl Allinson who is fighting a very rare form of leukaemia has had his appeal for funding rejected by the NHS.

The 13-year-old Frome schoolboy is currently recovering in hospital following a second bone marrow transplant paid for by a frantic £80,000 fund-raising campaign by his family, friends and the Frome community after NHS England refused to fund the operation.

On Monday, the appeal to overturn the funding decision was rejected, leaving Daryl’s family devastated. Daryl had his second bone marrow transplant earlier this month which doctors hope will save his life. NHS England had refused to fund treatment meaning the family had to raise the money in double-quick time.

Daryl’s consultant Colin Steward, Professor of Paediatrics Stem Cell transplantation at BRI Children’s Hospital put in the request for the transplant but this was refused back on 9th June. He appealed the decision but the appeal has now been turned down by the Individual Funding Request panel at NHS England.

Daryl’s mum Sam said, “It’s not on. It’s played god again twice with my son’s life. He needs this. And if it wasn’t for the public who’s helped fund this money, we wouldn’t be here today because if we’d waited for this appeal to come through I don’t know how he would have been. We could even have lost him by now. We’re going to have to keep going with the funding to make sure Daryl gets everything he needs.”

Daryl’s dad, Terry said on Monday, “We are so grateful to the public, charities and businesses have helped with the fund raising for Daryl and that we raised enough to get the treatment started over two weeks ago.

“Now for the NHS news received today: NO they say, Declined for the second time. It’s not even about paying for the treatment any more as you all have helped do this, it’s about the morals of the NHS sat at the top being able to decide they can choose to take a child’s life. If you had not helped with this cost, Daryl would not be having his treatment and the NHS would have just given him a death sentence.

“Again everyone who has helped to give Daryl the treatment he needs, thank you. If we had not raised the money to pay for Daryl’s treatment it is very likely he would not be with us today.”

Stephanie Townend, Daryl’s aunt, added, “It just shows us how important the Just Giving page was and it is now more important than ever that we’re able to raise the funds Daryl needs for his treatment.

“If we hadn’t raised the money he would have died. Thanks to the fundraising of everybody we’ve now been able to start the process of Daryl’s treatment. It shows just how important it was that Daryl’s treatment was started.”

Daryl’s fund-raising campaign is continuing.  You can donate to the appeal or read more of Daryl’s story by searching ‘Stephanie Townend’ online at www.justgiving.com