The family of baby Ayah Lundt can now breathe a sigh of relief after they managed to fundraise $2.1 million (Ksh240 million) to purchase the world's most expensive drug for her.
Baby Ayah was diagnosed with a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and needed the drug to save her life.
On Tuesday, August 31, 2021, the family confirmed that they had managed to raise the money, that will now see their daughter receive treatment. The fundraising lasted 33 weeks.
File image of Mary Mithika and her daughter Ayah Lundt. |Photo| Courtesy|
The amount was raised through fundraisers carried out by groups in Denmark, Kenya, across Europe and the world.
In Kenya, local celebrities including Mc Jessy, Dr. Ofweneke, Robert Burale, Eric Omondi, Betty Kyalo, Kwambox, Terence Creative and Wahu Kagwi led campaigns to help baby Ayah get the money.
Taking to social media, the family expressed their gratitude to each and every individual that donated towards the cause, and that kept the family in prayers.
“After 33 weeks of sleepless nights and tears, we are here!!! We want to thank God for bringing us this far, for blessing us immensely even when we fall short of His glory, for guiding us and getting us here. For health and wealth.
“To our family and friends… You were the very first to know, we requested for your support, and you went all out for us, you fought for Ayah like your own, even when the world didn’t know about SMA or couldn’t fathom a single treatment could cost millions of dollars!!
"Thank you for standing with us and helping us create a network and a community!” The Instagram post read in part.
Baby Ayah's condition caught the attention of people around the world after her plight was aired on CNN.
According to the media house, the toddler was born in January 2020 and weighed a whooping 3.8 Kgs. She continued to develop well, and at six months, she began to crawl and try new foods.
Her development, however, began to reverse when she hit nine months. Her mother, Mary Mithika told CNN that the family became worried when she could not lift her head when lying down, could not clap, and even worse when she failed to eat oatmeal.
According to the publication, SMA is diagnosed in one of every 10,000 children from around the world. Baby Ayah's family have been rushing against time to ensure their little girl gets the treatment before she turns 2.
The treatment is called Zolgensma. A dose goes for $2.1 million and is considered the most expensive drug in the world.
