Young boy with rare genetic condition nominated for Croydon Champions award
6:00am Monday 27th May 2013 in News By Andrew Bloss
Brae Sewell with his mother Siobhan
The family of a young boy with a rare genetic condition have nominated him for the Croydon Champions child of courage award - as new research is found that could extend his life.
Brae Sewell, 4, of Purley, was diagnosed with Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) 14 months ago, a genetic condition which causes severe disability in children and significantly shortens lives.
Children with A-T are unlikely to live beyond their 20s.
There is currently no effective treatment for the condition and Braes diagnosis means that his mother, Siobhan Kelly, faces an increased risk of developing breast cancer as a carrier of the gene.
Now, researchers in Cambridge are to begin a project which could both extend Braes life significantly and protect his mother from breast-cancer.
The team, headed by Professor Steve Jackson, is planning to use state-of-the-art genetic technology to test a new approach to treating A-T and hereditary breast cancer.
Tests have already shown promising results in the lab.
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Young boy with rare genetic condition nominated for Croydon Champions award