Bill Clinton says he'll pray for tragic butterfly child

Jul 13 2008 By Steve Dinneen

BILL CLINTON has told how he is praying for a Scots girl dying from a rare disease.

The former US president wrote to Alex Hood's family, praising their efforts to find a cure.

Dumfries-born Alex, 19, suffers from epidermolysis bullosa which makes her skin erupt in agonising blisters at the slightest touch.

Sufferers are known as "butterfly children" because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wings.

Alex, who met Clinton in 1999 while on a visit to Downing Street with her dad Robin, has been discharged from hospital to spend her final days with her family.

Clinton's letter reads: "I hope and pray you find the strength to endure this challenge. I am amazed by Alex's courage and by your tireless efforts to find a cure."

Ahand-written note adds: "I will, of course, do more than pray for you."

Robin hopes the former president's charitable foundation will support EB charity DebRA. He said: "It's too late for Alex but I am determined to make sure this terrible disease doesn't claim more lives."

Visit www.debra.org.uk to make a donation.