Davis supports fundraiser

Little Andreea Luciana who has kidney cancer. (Submitted pic)

Little Andreea Luciana, a precious 3 year old girl was recently diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in her right kidney.

Friends of Andeea’s family live and work in Ballymena, and it was their efforts to raise money to help the family which eventually caught the ear of the Southampton midfielder, Northern Ireland captain, and former Ballymena Academy pupil who joined Aston Villa aged 16.

The former Rangers and Fulham star – whose Northern Ireland team play a huge game against Romania next month – has donated a signed Southampton Premier League shirt which is being auctioned on eBay to raise money for the young girl and her family from Bucharest.

Steven Davis has backed the locally run campaign to raise funds for Andreea.

The operation to save Andreea’s life took five days and cost thousands of euros which the family could not afford until a campaign to help them in Romania and Ballymena raised some money and this week in Milan 3 year old Andreea got the operation she needed to remove the tumour.

However the money raised so far is not quite enough to cover all bills and the family is now struggling with debts incurred in the effort to save their daughters life.

Nevertheless they are incredibly happy to still have their baby girl who is recovering well after the serious operation which was only made possible by donations.

The gift of life is the greatest gift of all and the response to Andreea’s plight so far has been remarkable in both Ireland and Romania.

Links: You can bid on the signed Steven Davis football shirt here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Signed-Premier-League-Southampton-Shirt-Steven-Davis-FOR-ANDREEA-LUCIANA-ION-/181754193388?

Or to donate towards Andreea’s ongoing care via PayPal at: [email protected]

You can follow Andreea’s progress via her mum’s Facebook page: Sandel Ion.