The Fight For Life Foundation gave $10,000 to help cover medical costs for a two-year-old with a life threatening heart condition.

Kandice Young is the first Bermudian child the foundation has given a large donation to since it was established last year in memory of Lori Mello, who passed away after losing her battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year at the age of 24.

Kandice suffers from Heterotaxy Syndrome and Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, which means the two-year-old faces an everyday life-or-death existence.

Hetropaxy Syndrome is a congenital heart disease, while pulmonary veins stanosis causes her veins to close, cutting off the blood and oxygen to her lungs.

Since losing the use of her left lung, she survives solely on the right but must undergo constant treatment.

Kandice has undergone three operations and although medical insurance covers most of her costs, her travel expenses to the Children's Hospital in Boston still run into thousands of dollars.

She lives with her mother Derika her eight-year-old sister Kyra and brothers Kevon, four, and Kitorri, six, at the family home, in Alexander Road, Devonshire.

As well as looking after her Kandice and her siblings, Derika works between 20-28 hours a week as a shop assistant.

Fight For Life founders Kara Mederios, Jennifer Morris, and Lauren Mahoney were Lori Mello's closest friends and with her every step of the way during her fight against cancer.

They said they understand how stressful it is when a loved one has a serious illness and want to alleviate some of the financial stress for Bermudians under 26 who are fighting a life threatening disease.

Belmont Hills Golf pro Brian Morris participated in a 24-hour golf-a-thon in December to help raise funds for the charity.

The charity has already raised $35,000 and hopes to become Bermuda's version of the Make a Wish Foundation in the future.

To donate money to the charity, or to alert the charity of a young Bermudian suffering from a life threatening illness, e-mail fightforlifefoundation@yahoo.com or call 291-5568.