Source: Timeslive

All Chanaé Pillay wants for her seventh birthday in five days’ time is an opportunity to “do all the stuff my baby sister and most kids can, like sit on her own in the swing, play in the pool and walk on the sand on the beach”.

Pillay, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was a year old, has a chance to have her condition treated after being accepted as a candidate for controversial and costly stem cell therapy in China.

The little girl from Pinetown cannot walk and has trouble holding her head up and using her hands.

Her family received a letter from the Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Centre that said she was a candidate for treatment. The company prepares various types of stem cells to treat serious medical conditions.

Her parents, Tracy and Dashen, are now trying to raise the nearly R500000 required for the treatment by arranging fundraising events.

“We were doing our own research and saw a success story that involved the centre, and we decided to try to get Chanaé in,” said Tracy.

She said they were aware that the treatment was not guaranteed and controversial, but they were prepared to do whatever it took to help their daughter.

Another stem cell therapy candidate in need of funding is 30-year-old Seimi Pillay, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, a hereditary muscle disease that weakens the body’s muscles. Owing to her condition, she is unable to have children.

She received confirmation last September that she was a suitable candidate. The cost of the trip to China and the treatment will be almost R286000.

“These costs are vast and I do not have the money. The treatment may or may not work. I am aware of that, but I am willing to take the chance,” said Seimi.

Readers interested in helping Dashen and Tracy Pillay can contact the family on 082 9977443 or 0829970578. Seimi can be contacted on 0837998505.