Jessica was diagnosed with DIPG, a type of brain tumour, when she was three years old. Jessica’s left eye had started to drift inwards, so she was referred to the Royal Bolton Hospital. While waiting for a scan, her symptoms worsened.
The consultant confirmed that Jessica had cancer and she was sent straight to The Royal Manchester Children’s hospital.
Jessica had a tumour in the worst possible place – the brain stem. The tumour was inoperable and Jessica’s life expectancy was just 9-12 months. There was little treatment they could offer, only treatment to prolong Jessica’s life and not cure her.
Jessica was started on steroids straight away to relieve some of the pressure on her brain and she began radiotherapy. Weeks later, after a further MRI, the tumour had reduced to about half the size.
But, several weeks later, Jessica’s left eye began to drift inwards again and she was slightly off balance at times. The tumour had started to grow again, this time more aggressively than before. She was unable to walk, had difficulty moving her right side and couldn’t swallow. Jess was admitted and put on a high dose of steroids and thankfully things improved again.
She was started on chemotherapy but the combination of chemo and steroids were causing her further side effects and infections. She became more and more unwell. Her parents took the impossible decision to stop her treatment. The tumour was continuing to grow despite chemotherapy and they didn’t want her to suffer anymore.
Jessica was taken to Derian House children’s hospice and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at aged only 6 years old.
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Nancy, 11, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was just 2 years old. She was treated with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) in Germany but unfortunately relapsed less than a year later. The family were then sent to Germany for a second round of PBT. Although treatment helped to cure Nancy’s cancer, she has been left with lots of lasting effects which will require ongoing treatment throughout her life. Here Nancy and her mum, Antonia, share their story in the hope it will help others, raise awareness, and raise more money for children’s cancer research.
Why I am a Trustee of CCRF
I have spent my professional career representing individuals and families affected by the devastating asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, which has no cure and for which there are only a limited number of palliative treatments available on the NHS.
I joined CCRF because I wanted to bring my understanding of the need to raise awareness of less well known cancers and passion for the need to secure improved funding for research to children facing a cancer diagnosis.
My role on the Board
I am responsible for oversight of our collaboration agreements with other charities to co-fund research into cures and treatments for childhood cancers. I also manage our challenge events and help with community fundraising.
My Background
I am a Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell LLP and specialise in Asbestos Disease Litigation, acting on behalf of victims of asbestos related diseases and their families. Over the years, I have undertaken a number of fundraising challenges to raise money for cancer research, including a 1000 mile cycle ride from Glasgow to Southampton.
