Tullamore man raising life-saving funds for 'bubble boy' relative

Popular restaurant manager Sal Kitous of Sirocco's is hoping the people of Offaly will help him with a life or death issue. Sal's nephew and his wife in Sal's home country of Algeria are currently battling to raise funds in order for their eight-month-old "bubble boy" son Manil to travel to Newcastle in England for a life-saving operation. Though Sal hasn't even met his young relative, he's hoping to raise enough to allow the operation take place and allow him meet little Manil in the future. Manil Blida has Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), which thanks to a defective gene has left him with an impaired immune system. The condition is also known as "bubble boy" disease because of how vulnerable it leaves its victims to infectious diseases. Manil's parents have already lost a child to the condition, and Sal says neither he nor they are prepared to lose a second child to it. To cure him Manil needs a bone marrow transplant; otherwise the chance of him living past two years of age is slim. Manil's five year old sister Manel is a perfect donor match, but the operation cannot be carried out locally as hospitals are ill-equipped and doctors won't undertake such an operation until a child is four. Now the family are hoping to raise enough money to travel to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for the operation. The procedure will cost in excess of £250,000 in total, but Sal is hoping Algerian authorities will pay up for the main operation if the family can cough up the £10,500 assessment fee. Local goodwill has seen Sal raise almost €4,000 for the cause so far. A charity night took place in December when Sal's employer gave him use of Sirocco's for the evening. A fundraiser took place last Friday night in Lynch's, which saw Sal shave his head for €500. Spot prizes have been donated by local businesses Cahill Jewellers, Joe O'Sullivan, Sirocco's, Tommy Clarke, Ritzy's, Scissors Trix, Galvin for Men, Dolan's Pharmacy, Guy Clothing and Jamie's Restaurant. A charity account has also been set up in Tullamore Credit Union, with donations both large and small accepted gratefully. Anyone wishing to donate can do so through the credit union to account number 06532101, sort code 991004. Thanking everyone for their efforts both past and to come, Sal said he's grateful for any amount, no matter how small. "I don't want to put people under pressure with donations; every euro helps."