” We are running this online campaign aiming to keep Antonis alive. We wish to see him play like all children do, run, smile and grow into a thriving adult. We would be grateful for your support, financial or other.
Antonis was born on 04/10/2017. When he was only 5 months old, he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a very rare genetic disorder characterized by weakness and wasting (atrophy) in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles). Without treatment, life expectancy is only 2 years. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the most common death cause for infants due to the progressive weakness of the muscles and the respiratory complications.
Antonis is the first patient in Cyprus who on 18/06/2018 received, with funding from the Republic of Cyprus, the “nusinersen/spinraza”, the only medication available world-wide at that time. This medication stopped the progress of the disorder, keeping him alive today. At the same time, the drug has significantly improved body and limb mobility but does not appear to act equally good on strengthening the respiratory muscles.
As a result of that, there is a very high risk of respiratory failure and serious life-threatening respiratory complications. However, recently an innovative and revolutionary treatment has given us hope for Antonis’ survival and future. The gene therapy ZOLGENSMA was approved in May 2019 in the United States of America for children with spinal muscular atrophy with less than 2 years of age.
This treatment is given intravenously only once and aims at a one-time correction of the disease-causing gene damage. Findings from recent clinical studies suggest that ZOLGENSMA does not simply cure the disease but gradually cures it. The financial cost of the treatment is 2 000 000 EURO. ”
Those who wish to help can donate to the following accounts:
Bank of Cyprus
Beneficiary: THOMA CHAR. GIA LOG. ANTONI ANDREOU
Account No: 357032169908
IBAN : CY10 0020 0195 0000 3570 3216 9908
BIC/SWIFT: BCYPCY2N
Hellenic Bank
Beneficiary: THOMA CHARALAMBIA FOR ANDREOU ANTON
Account No: 1051087619801
IBAN : CY44 0050 0105 0001 0510 8761 9801
BIC/SWIFT: HEBACY2N
