Mum's plea for baby with severe milk allergy
The bub was diagnosed with an allergy to cow’s milk, as well as a serious intolerance to dairy substitutes.
By Livia Gamble
January 24 2017
A mum is pleading for funding to help feed her son who has a severe milk allergy.
Andrea Gangel says 14-month-old Steven Gangel-Balsdon was diagnosed with an allergy to cow’s milk, as well as a serious intolerance to dairy substitutes such as soy and lactose-free milk, reports Toronto Sun.
Breastfeeding isn't an option as a result of “birthing complications”, so Gangel has been relying on a special amino acid-based formula called Neocate.
Neocate costs around $68 per can and was covered by the Ontario Drug Benefits program, until recently.
The family are now paying for the formula themselves.
“Once he turned one, Neocate was not classified as his sole source of nutrition because he started to eat solid foods as well, so they no longer covered it,” Gangel told the publication. “I rent an apartment and (am) paying a lot of bills and everything else on top of that. It doesn’t leave me with much.”
The boy’s paediatrician, Dr Tanya Buors, says he needs Neocate until age two, paying for the formula isn't sustainable for the family.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help pay for Steven’s formula.
“To feed Steven his family is spending $70 a day or $25,000 for the next year. A debilitating amount for most families. Let's help them get Steven what he needs now while they fight for their government funding!"
So far, the page has raised $1930 of the $25,000 goal.
To find out more, or to make a donation, click here.
