Stem cell patient plans for more

Angie McDonald says the effects are wearing off

A woman thought to be one of the first in the world to receive stem cell treatment for a rare condition is planning to go abroad for more.

Angie McDonald, 32, of Oxton, Wirral, Merseyside, underwent the procedure to combat Friedreich's Ataxia in the Netherlands last year.

The condition affects her balance, co-ordination and speech.

She is now trying to raise enough money to have top-up treatment, as it is not available on the NHS.

Ms McDonald says the effects were good but are now starting to wear off.

I wouldn't change it for the world, it made me feel so much better Angie McDonald

The technique involves injecting stem cells from the umbilical cords of healthy full-term babies into her bloodstream and the base of her skull.

It had been used on multiple sclerosis sufferers but Ms McDonald was thought to be the first Friedreich's Ataxia sufferer to undergo the treatment last December, at the PMC clinic in Rotterdam.

"I wouldn't change it for the world, it made me feel so much better," she said.

"I have a lot more energy, I'm not as shaky, I can even pick up a cup of tea without spilling it.

"I'm hoping for a booster in February, hopefully that will make me feel even better."