About

Little Bronte was born with what was first thought a slight ‘bruise’ in her temple area. It was soon realised the ‘bruise’ was actually a ‘Hemangioma’.

A Hemangioma is a vascular tumour which normally presents within the first 10 days of life.

One in ten children are born with a hemangioma and 10% of these results in further complications. Hemangiomas are commonly known as ‘strawberry birthmarks’.

Within her first two weeks of life a number of Hemangiomas appeared on Bronte: in her eyelid, tip of her nose, top lip, shoulder blade and temple area.

Bronte has been treated for her condition in a number of different ways over the past 14 months. She started with steroid treatment for about 2 and a half months, Vincristine (a form of Chemotherapy) was given to her for 12 months and she has also had surgery on her eyelid. Unfortunately nothing has given the results that we anticipated.

Despite all the treatment and the physical stress and strain on little Bronte, her parents, Anna and Grant Kelly find themselves amazed by little Bronte’s tenacity and strength. Bronte is forever greeting visitors with her warming smile.

Amazingly, the condition has not been the only challenge Bronte has had to face since birth.

As a result of having a suppressed immune system, Bronte has encountered chicken pox, shingles and numerous perforated ear drums. Bronte also had surgery to insert a central line, a line connected in her little chest which under the skin connects to the jugular vein. This was needed to administer the weekly doses of Vincristine.

By sheer coincidence, a documentary recently aired on television which shone some light on this amazing story – and a chance to finally correct Bronte’s condition.

In New York, Doctor Milton Waner, a co-director of the ‘Vascular and Birthmarks Institute of New York’ has dedicated most of his medical career to treating the condition which has haunted Bronte and the Kelly family.

At this stage, Doctor Waner appears to be the only person able to give Bronte the chance of saving her eye sight and bettering her future.

Further surgery may then give little Bronte the chance at living a normal life.