Please Help 7-Year-Old George Access the Specialist Care He Desperately Needs

George is only seven years old.

He should be playing, laughing, making friends and enjoying his childhood.

Instead, for years, our family has been trying to understand why our little boy has become so seriously unwell.

George's story

George's difficulties began with a gradual regression. We noticed changes in his behaviour, followed by episodes of severe aggression and extreme fatigue.

Over time, his symptoms became increasingly complex.

George has severe cerebral autoimmunity affecting his brain, together with mitochondrial dysfunction and significant neurological, cardiovascular and rheumatological problems.

He experiences severe headaches, extreme fatigue, episodes of dysautonomia, chest pain, panic attacks, periods where he appears to "zone out", epileptiform activity and seizures, as well as involuntary sounds and other neurological and behavioural symptoms.

His condition also comes in flares.

During some of these episodes, George becomes so unwell that he is unable to walk for a week or more.

As his parents, it is incredibly difficult to watch our child lose abilities, experience pain and exhaustion, and become so unwell that even walking can become impossible.

George also has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), together with other associated diagnoses, which adds further complexity to his care and daily needs.

Years of searching for answers

For years, we have done everything we could to help George.

We have travelled to different countries across Europe, seen specialists, undergone extensive investigations and laboratory testing, and tried different treatments and therapies.

During this journey, our family has spent approximately €150,000 on medical investigations, treatments, therapies, travel and other medical-related expenses.

We have made these sacrifices because George is our son, and we could not simply stop looking for answers.

We have some answers — but not enough.

There are still important questions about his condition, further investigations to complete and treatment that he urgently needs.

What we are asking for help with

We want to be completely clear about what this fundraiser is for.

We are not asking for help with George's regular weekly therapies.

His weekly therapies are expensive, but we are currently able to continue providing and paying for them ourselves.

Our financial difficulty is related to the specialist medical treatment and investigations that George now requires, including multiple courses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), specialist consultations, further testing and the medical care he needs in the United States.

One course of IVIG treatment is expected to cost approximately $50,000.

Because George requires multiple courses of IVIG due to the severity of his cerebral autoimmunity, together with further investigations, specialist consultations, travel and other medical expenses, we estimate that we will need approximately €100,000 initially to cover his upcoming medical care.

This is our current estimate based on the medical treatment and costs we know about at this stage.

George's treatment is complex, and the total cost may change as his medical care progresses and further recommendations are made.

If the amount we need changes, we will update this fundraiser and be completely transparent about the costs and how the funds are being used.

We do not want to exaggerate the amount we are asking for or invent a figure simply to make our fundraiser more convincing.

We want to be honest about what we know today and update you as George's treatment progresses.

Why we need to go to the United States

After years of searching for answers and treatment in Europe, we have identified a specialist in the United States whose clinical experience is particularly relevant to George's complex medical presentation and severe cerebral autoimmunity.

We believe that having George assessed and treated by this specialist could help us better understand his condition and determine the most appropriate way forward.

For us, this is not simply about travelling to another country for another opinion.

It is about accessing specialist expertise that we believe is important for George's case.

George's treatment

Because of the severity of George's cerebral autoimmunity, he requires multiple courses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

One course is expected to cost approximately $50,000 together with the other medication making the treatment a significant financial burden for our family.

He will also require further specialist investigations, medical monitoring and treatment.

Additional medications or treatments may be recommended depending on his specialist assessment and response to treatment.

We will follow the medical recommendations we receive and continue to update this fundraiser as we learn more.

What your donation will help with

Funds raised will help us cover the medical costs that our family can no longer afford on our own, including:

Specialist consultations

Laboratory and diagnostic investigations

Medical testing

Multiple courses of IVIG

Recommended medical treatments

Medications

Travel to the United States for medical care

Accommodation related to medical appointments

Follow-up care and further investigations

Again, this fundraiser is not for George's regular weekly therapies.

We are continuing to cover those costs ourselves.

We are asking for help with the additional medical expenses that have now become beyond our financial means.

Please help us give George a chance

George is seven years old.

He should be thinking about toys, games and what he wants to be when he grows up — not medical appointments, blood tests, hospitals and treatments.

And yet, despite everything he has been through, George keeps fighting.

So do we.

After years of searching for answers and doing everything we can to help our son, we have reached a point where we need help with the medical costs that we can no longer afford alone.

If you can donate, even a small amount, you will help George access the specialist medical care, IVIG, investigations and treatment he urgently needs.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing George's story.

A single share could reach someone who can help — an organisation, another family, a potential donor, or simply someone who decides to stand beside us.

Every donation matters.

Every share matters.

Every message of support matters.

We are simply asking for a chance to give George access to the medical care he needs.

A chance to find more answers.

A chance to find the right path forward.

And most importantly, a chance for our little boy to experience more of the childhood he deserves.

Medical documentation and supporting evidence are available upon request.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read George's story, for caring about our little boy, and for standing beside our family during the most difficult journey of our lives.

With love and gratitude,

George's family