A 12-YEAR-OLD girl battling a brain tumour may be undergoing specialist treatment in the USA within three months. Thousands of Huddersfield Town fans saw Bailey Coppack lead the players out onto the pitch before Saturday’s draw against Rochdale at the Galpharm Stadium.

The match was dedicated to the Mirfield youngster with all proceeds from the £3 programmes donated to help fund the cost of the trip to America.

Bailey had an MRI scan at Leeds General Infirmary two weeks ago and yesterday doctors there told the family that the tumour had grown and so the plans to get to America have been brought forward.

Bailey was diagnosed with the tumour after suddenly collapsing one day in 2008. Doctors have tried twice to operate and remove the tumour – but each time it has grown back.

And because the tumour is wrapped around her brain stem, specialists are worried the usual forms of radiotherapy, accessed in the UK, could paralyse her and stunt her ability to learn.

Speaking yesterday mum Lisa said: “We have found out this morning that the tumour has grown and so there is real urgency to get Bailey out to America for the proton treatment. When Bailey underwent the tests today she just couldn’t walk in a straight line so the tumour is now affecting her co-ordination.

“It may be surgeons at LGI will now carry out an operation to ‘debulk’ the tumour. This would involve removing part of it and, hopefully, her co-ordination will then improve.”

LGI will now refer Bailey’s case to the Department of Health and the family should hear within 10 days if that has been successful.

This would mean the Department of Health would fund Bailey’s treatment in America, including the cost of three flights and money towards accommodation.

But the family is now fundraising to bridge the shortfall and the financial pressure they will be under in the coming months.

The treatment in America will last 12 weeks and could be at a specialist centre in Jacksonville, Florida, or Oklahoma.

“For this kind of treatment the timescale is now quite short,” said Lisa. “It just depends which centre will be available and if they have space for us.”

The treatment means Bailey will have to go into the proton machine every weekday. The procedure takes around 45 minutes, but the protons will be fired for just five to 10 minutes.

The preparations before she goes in are very precise and Bailey will, in effect, be strapped to the table so she does not move at all. She will also need to wear a mask that has been specially made for her.

Lisa said that the proton treatment does not shrink the tumour – it just destroys the cancer cells.

After the treatment is finished Bailey will have an MRI to see if the cancer cells have been killed off.

The next fundraising event for Bailey will be a disco and karaoke at Lower Hopton Working Men’s Club at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7. For more information contact Lisa on 07812 169562.