Baby Brooklyn & Hyper IgM Syndrome

We’re raising money for baby Brooklyn! ❤️

Little Brooklyn was recently diagnosed with CD40 Ligand Deficiency (also known as Hyper IgM Syndrome) which is a rare one-in-a-million primary immunodeficiency.

He is currently undergoing regular immunoglobulin therapy as part of his ongoing treatment which will help reduce the frequency and severity of any infections. This will keep him relatively stable but is not a cure - the only known cure is an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and without this transplant, Brooklyn will have a much shorter life expectancy.

Brooklyn has now been to Great North Hospital, Newcastle with his parents Matthew and Tassia. Brooklyn had his transplant assessment which involved a number of tests to ensure he is fit for transplant. A formal recommendation will be made along with an expected date for transplant in the coming weeks where Brooklyn and his parents will then prepare to move to Newcastle for a period of around 6 months.

Brooklyn and his family need our help. We will be doing several fundraising initiatives to raise as much money as we can for charities Hyper IgM Foundation and Immunodeficiency UK as well as funding Brooklyn's travel and expenses over the coming months.

Listed below are the current fundraising opportunities, please donate whatever you can to show your support - every penny raised will go towards helping baby Brooklyn.

1. Uncles Stuart & Craig are running 5km per day for 50 days, starting on Monday 10th April 2023. ‍That’s a whopping 250km & almost 6 marathons! Thank you Uncle Stuart & Uncle Craig x

2. Ards Academy 2009's and 2015's are doing a 5km charity walk at the Duckpond Newtownards on Friday 28th April 2023 at 6:30pm. Thank you boys! x

3. John Sloan is running the Belfast Marathon this April 2023 to raise money for Brooklyn and associated charities. Thank you John x

4. Bangor Young Men (BYM) are organising a charity match on Saturday 27th May at Bangor Fuels Arena, Clandeboye Road Bangor. Further details TBC. Thank you Danny Frazer and BYM x

5. Godmother Emily Shaw has organised 'Brooklyn's Challenge' in partnership with her gym - CrossFit, Berserk. On Saturday 3rd June, Emily and friends/family will complete a 23 minute workout on the hour, every hour, for 7 hours...on the same day! In addition, CrossFit members will complete a dedicated 23-7-22 (Brooklyn's DOB) workout of the day (WOD) during the morning classes with a bake sale after. Thank you Godmama Emily and friends x

6. Anton McCormick will be taking on the Longest Day Golf Challenge on the 21st of June 2023. Walking for around 14 hours and covering almost 26 miles over 72 holes at Scrabo Golf Club. Thank you Anton x

7. Matthew & Stuart Best will complete the Goggins 4x4x48 challenge on the 23rd June 2023. They will run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours - well into ultra-marathon territory. Thank you Dad & Uncle Stuart x

We’ll release more fundraising initiatives here in the coming weeks.

Also, please don’t forget to register to be a donor - you could save a life.

Thank you! ❤️