Seizure-afflicted Australian toddler inspires grandparents to make donation for research

Australian baby Katelyn Lambert has suffered seizures since she was born and her suffering has inspired her grandparents to donate more than 30 million Australian dollars towards research which may ease her pain.

Barry and Joy Lambert will fund medicinal cannabis research at the University of Sydney in one of the largest donations to research in Australian history.

The couple spoke of their pain at watching three-year-old Katelyn experience thousands of seizures since she was born with epilepsy.

"When you get to the end of the road you try desperate measures, " Mrs Lambert told News Corp on Friday.

"I never imagined she would make it to preschool."

Mr Lambert, who made his fortune in financial planning, said the toddler has suffered tremendously.

"Once she had a two-and-a-half hour seizure and had to be airlifted; they couldn't stop it," he said.

"(But) in the last seven months she's never been so good."

Since Katelyn responded positively to cannabis-based treatment, the Lamberts have wanted to help others.

University of Sydney vice chancellor Michael Spence dubbed the 33.7 million Australian dollar donation a "story about love and hope".

"It's a great day for the people of Australia and the world," he said.

"It enables research across a broad range of applications - from addiction, cancer, obesity, childhood epilepsy and chronic pain to dementia and mental health disorders."

Scientists welcomed the "game-changing" gift at a news conference at the university, where New South Wales Premier Mike Baird also thanked the Lamberts.

"What a historic day ... on behalf of this state and country, thank you," he said.

"This is something that is going to reverberate around the world." Endi