£130,000 needed to treat Guernsey toddler's brain injury

Friday, 13 February 2026 07:00

A Guernsey family say they are in a race against time to get stem cell therapy for their toddler, who suffered a brain injury at birth.

Margo Brehaut was born on 9 September 2023, alongside her two identical sisters.

But unlike Aggie and Edith, Margo suffered oxygen deprivation, which damaged her brain.

In 2024, Margo's family launched a fundraiser to get her stem cell treatment to improve Margo's quality of life.

The Guernsey public quickly raised the £20,000 needed, and their first treatment was booked for the end of November 2025.

But a week before their appointment, Margo's mum, Naomi Foley, got a phone call saying the company had ceased trading.

"We felt completely deflated because everybody worked so hard to get us the money, and then they didn't exist anymore.

"I had already booked the flights. I was a bit upset that we didn't get there in time."

Three months later, Naomi has her sights set on a new treatment programme for Margo - but it comes with a price tag of £130,000.

She described the amount as 'a mountain'.

"Unfortunately, these stem cells are quite a bit more expensive than the original ones.

"Part of that is because they are in Europe, they have different laws and different labs to get them from, and obviously, we have to travel.

"We can afford one stem cell treatment from the money that was raised before.

"So we've told them we want to go ahead. But research has shown that it's beneficial to have as much as you can have while the brain is still young.

"In your first five years, your brain does the most regenerating and growing, it has got the neuroplasticity."

Naomi hopes the Guernsey community will continue to support them, and Margo will be able to get more enjoyment out of life.

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