A Scottish charity has made a generous pledge of £10,000 to assist in sending a mother-of-three, who is battling two life-changing illnesses, for treatment in the United States. Danielle Gardiner, known as Dana to her loved ones, has been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), conditions that have severely impacted her daily life with symptoms like fainting, seizures, and chronic migraines.
Facing a worsening condition and a lack of improvement through traditional treatment methods, Dana urgently needed to travel to Arkansas for specialised treatment. With a fundraising target of £75,000, Dana’s supporters were racing against time to gather the necessary funds. Luckily, the Glasgow-based charity, The Emmie Smillie Charity Foundation, intervened with a substantial donation to help reach the fundraising goal.
Established by the Smillie family in memory of Emmie, who lost her battle with cancer at just 34 years old, the foundation aims to support families dealing with cancer. Dana, a 40-year-old hospitality manager from Falkirk, had to rely on a wheelchair due to her illnesses, making everyday tasks impossible. Despite the absence of NHS treatment options, Dana’s friends and colleagues initiated a fundraising campaign to send her to a clinic in the US for treatment.
With donations pouring in, the total amount raised surpassed the initial target, thanks to the overwhelming support from the community. Dana’s flight to Arkansas for treatment is scheduled for later this month, as her symptoms continue to intensify. Close friend Nicola McGuinness, who spearheaded the fundraising efforts, expressed gratitude for the charity’s significant contribution and vowed to continue fundraising to support Dana during her treatment abroad.
Nicola emphasised the urgency of the situation and the increased treatment timeline due to Dana’s deteriorating condition. The generosity of The Emmie Smillie Charity Foundation has provided hope for Dana and her family amidst this challenging time, highlighting the power of community support in times of need. The solidarity and compassion shown towards Dana’s plight exemplify the spirit of kindness and empathy that binds communities together in times of adversity.