The mother of a toddler with a life threatening heart condition would like to thank everyone who has donated money towards her medical care.

Kandice Young celebrates her third birthday tomorrow, but just last week she was fighting to survive after contracting pneumonia.

The little girl underwent treatment at Boston’s Children’s Hospital and has now returned home, proving once again she is a fighter.

Her brush with a potentially fatal illness however, also illustrated the value of donations towards her medical care.

Kandice suffers from Heterotaxy Syndrome and Pulmonary Vein Stenosis. In October surgeons had to connect all her veins and organs to her right lung after the left stopped working.

Although Kandice can survive on one lung, this does makes her more vulnerable to infections, such as pneumonia.

Last month, more than 650 runners took part in the annual Half Marathon Derby, donating part of their entry fees towards Kandice. Boosted by additional fundraising by her family, the event raised $6,000 towards her medical care.

Kandice’s mother Derika, 25, said that the generosity of those taking part in the race had helped the little girl’s family to be there for her in Boston last week.

“I would like to thank everyone in Bermuda who has helped with Kandice’s medical expenses,” said Derika.

“They have helped tremendously, because this just happened and we had to fly out but the money was there straight away. It has really helped.”

Although most of Kandice’s treatment is paid for by her father Kevin Douglas’s medical insurance — the costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars — Derika must find up to $2,000 every few months to pay for her and her daughter’s airfares, accommodation and food while Kandice undergoes routine medical tests.

In the event of an emergency, such as her contracting pneumonia, having the funds there to assist with airfares for relatives makes a big difference.

“Having the money there takes the all pressure off,” said Derika.

Kandice was admitted to the US hospital by air ambulance on June 12 after being treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for a fever and breathing problems.

Derika said: “They did an X-ray which found shadowing on her right lung and they said it was pneumonia. It was heartbreaking. When I first heard I was very upset but I had a lot of support from my family, which really helped.”

After being admitted to the ICU unit at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Kandice received intravenous antibiotics and finally flew home last Thursday.

“She’s doing very well now. The doctor has said her chest is clear and is pleased with her progress,” said Derika.

However, as a result of the infection she has now taken Kandice out of her nursery.

As Derika works up to 28 hours a week as a shop assistant, her grandmother Marlene has now offered to look after the toddler when she is at work. The family are looking at the possibility of Home School if eventually Pre-school proves not to be an option.

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