A teenage model has to be extremely careful in the sun - as she suffers
from a condition that means she can burn even if she's exposed to low-energy
lightbulbs.
Mia Galloway is battling lupus, an incurable autoimmune condition that
makes her skin super-sensitive to light. Mia, 15, can develop a very severe
form of sunburn within minutes if she’s out in daylight. She was a contestant
in a teen beauty pageant, and was modelling and winning parts in hit television
shows including Waterloo Road until she became ill last Easter.
Former beauty queen Mia Galloway was diagnosed with lupus last Easter. She says she is determined to live a normal life
The teenager, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was quickly diagnosed
with lupus which causes the immune system to attack vital organs. She was kept
in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for three weeks and had
chemotherapy to suppress her immune system. Mia now takes daily chemotherapy
tablets and receives regular blood tests. As she has a suppressed immune system
it means a common cold could develop into pneumonia. However, she believes she
is one of the lucky ones, because her condition was diagnosed within days - in
some cases it can take seven years to recognise the illness.
The straight-A student who hopes to become a lawyer, said: 'I want
people to be aware of the condition, because it could save someone’s life.' Her
school has been fundraising for the charity Lupus UK, and a representative from
the society spoke about the condition in a special assembly.
Mia and mother Tammy Galloway who said of her daughter: 'She is an inspiration, she is so positive'
Mia, who has a sister Lucinda, aged six, and a brother Wesley, 28, said:
'I have good days and bad days. 'The aim is to be able to go to the hospital
once every three months. At the moment, I am going every two weeks.'
She added: 'My friend said I don’t take my illness seriously, but I have
not changed. 'I have not got upset by the condition, maybe because it has not
sunk in yet. I am still the same person and I want to live a normal life.' Thanks
to the Little Princess Trust, Mia has a wig and uses camouflage make-up for her
skin.
Now the teenager wants to study hair and media make-up at Bolton College
to help others who have skin conditions.
She already supports the charity Seed of Sight team, Guide Dogs for the
Blind and Vision 2020, having raised money for them. Her mother, Tammy
Galloway, aged 38, first took Mia to hospital because she kept being sick. Mia
was originally told that she may be dehydrated, but one of the doctors, Dr
Fiona Watson, spotted the symptoms. Mrs Galloway, who is married to John, aged
48, said: 'Dr Watson saved Mia’s life. The condition was attacking Mia’s
kidneys and she was one stage away from kidney failure.' She added: 'She is an
inspiration, she is so positive. She was asked by a friend if she had one wish
what would it be, and she did not wish for the illness to go away. She said ‘it
is who I am’.' Mrs Galloway works for BOC, which is fundraising for Lupus UK. Anyone
who wants to support her fundraising efforts can contact Mrs Galloway on the
email tammy.galloway@boc.com
Daily Mail UK
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