Twisted Brexiteers target cancer-stricken girl, 6, after she was flown from New Zealand to the UK for life-saving medical treatment
Madison Merrick flew 12,000 to Birmingham for bowel surgery and was then struck down with cancer
TWISTED internet trolls have targeted hateful messages at a brave six-year-old girl recovering from cancer.
Madison Merrick flew 12,000 miles from her New Zealand home for life-saving bowel surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
She was then diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo more gruelling therapy to save her life.
Everyone was delighted when the schoolgirl finally turned the corner, and beat the disease after seven months of treatment.
But now, after the Brexit vote opened the floodgates to a tide of abuse up and down the country, trolls have attacked her Facebook page.
They have demanded to know why she has been treated in the UK, questioned her immigration status and complained about the cost of medical treatment.
Madison’s mum Alana, 23, said: “After the last update we got publicly attacked about Madison’s immigration status and the medical treatment she receives.
“I know that the majority of the followers on this page simply just care about us.
“But sometimes I don’t want to update because I just don’t have the energy to deal with the people who post hate.”
Madison flew to England for life-saving bowel surgery at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital in May 2013 because the operation was not available in her own country.
The £550,000 cost of her treatment is being met by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, which is also funding her accommodation in Bennetts Hill, close to the hospital.
Madison was born with gastroschisis, in which her small and large intestine sit outside her abdominal wall, and also had a hole in her small bowel.
After the bowel operation Alana was told shortly afterwards that Madison had PTLD, a type of cancer linked to transplants.
But after seven months of treatment she was given the all-clear last October.
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When a child wins their battle with cancer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a special ceremony takes place where the patient rings a bell to mark the end of treatment.
Madison also received her 1,098th and final bead of courage – one had been handed out each time she received treatment or had a procedure.
Alana said: “She was so excited. She had been waiting to ring this bell for months.
"The doctors and nurses who had cared for her lined up and clapped her as she rang the bell. It was a very proud and emotional moment – she has come so far.
“The day Maddie was diagnosed it felt like a final blow that we wouldn’t overcome. She was very poorly and I wondered how she would find the strength to get through the treatment.
"She has been through so much for someone so young but she just keeps astounding me every day.”
Alana says Madison is doing well and is set to compete in the British Transplant Games once again this month, where she will be representing Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Last year the little battler scooped two bronze medals for running and ball throw.
Madison and her mother will remain in the country until doctors feel she is well enough to return to New Zealand.
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