AN EXPECTANT mum is raising awareness into a rare disease which has given her unborn daughter a 15 per cent survival rate.

Mandy Dell, 22, from Fulham, is due to give birth to her first child, daughter Sienna, in two weeks.

However, unlike most first time mums, Mandy is facing a tough time ahead as her unborn baby was diagnosed with a congenital diaphramic hernia at 30 weeks.

Miss Dell, whose partner Phil Smith works on the Isle of Wight, was offered a termination at the time of diagnosis and again just a week ago, but she has chosen to give her unborn daughter the chance to live.

Mandy, who has lived on the Samuel Lewis Trust Estate her whole life, said: “I found out very late on in the pregnancy that there was something seriously wrong with my baby girl.

“At 20 weeks the doctors saw in a scan that her heart was on the wrong side of her body but otherwise she was healthy and functioning.

“But by the 28 week scan, they realised that this was because she had a congenital diaphramic hernia, which meant that her liver and other organs were being pushed up into her heart and lung cavity.

“At this stage, the doctors offered me a termination as Sienna has a bad case of this condition but I Just could not take the opportunity to fight and live, away from her.

“I will be induced in just two weeks, and we have been told she has a 15 per cent chance of survival, but we won’t give up hope. Even though I was offered a termination last week I said no.

“I am just so desperate now to raise awareness of this little known disease as money is needed for research into new procedures. It’s a coping mechanism I suppose. And the run up to Christmas is helping to take my mind of what is ahead.”

Fulham Cross School friend, Laura Greenyer, who owns the Fulham and Chelsea Cake Company has launched a fundraising drive to raise money for CDH UK; a national charity which supports parents of children born with the condition.

Ms Greenyer, said: “When she told me what was happening with the baby and how much she is struggling with money and coping with the diagnosis, I had to help.

“So I have organised an event with local bands, food and drink and a fantastic raffle. Local businesses are providing the food and hairdressers such as La Durbin Boutique and Blow Out are donating hair appointments for some of the raffle prizes. The local community has really come together as Mandy and her family are so well known and loved in the area.”

One in 2,500 babies are born with CDH in the UK each year.. For more information visit www.cdhuk.org.uk .

The fundraising event will be on March 8 from 6pm at the Hammersmith Club, Rutland Grove. Tickets are £10