Check out the latest news about proton therapy: this week, find out how this state-of-the-art treatment modality is raising generosity among people from all over, and giving young cancer patients a new shot at life.
FUNDRAISER FOR FORMER PUPIL’S CANCER TREATMENT
Grace Adeyemo, 12, was diagnosed with a brain tumor called craniopharyngioma last July. Her former primary school in Morden, UK are fundraising to pay for her to travel to America for specialist treatment.
Grace was diagnosed after she began to experience problems with her vision. She had a successful operation last December, but the next stage of her treatment involves six weeks of proton therapy at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, America, at a cost of around £10,000. Grace’s former head teacher visited her in hospital after her operation and has set up a JustGiving page to try and help her family fund the trip to America. Grace expressed her thanks to her former school and her family for supporting her since her diagnosis. She said: “My diagnosis of craniopharyngioma was initially very difficult to handle, but with time and support from the NHS staff and my family, I soon understood and came to terms with my condition. The surgery was successful and one of my high points in hospital was having my former head teacher and deputy head teacher visit me in St George’s Hospital.” She added: “The amount of love, support and donation is overwhelming. May God bless the local churches, mosques, businesses and individuals who have donated to support my upcoming proton therapy treatment. This experience has opened my eyes to the kindness of humanity and our community in Morden, which I’m grateful to be a part of.”
FUNDS BEING RAISED FOR EUAN’S BATTLE
Euan Fellows, a teenager from Arbroath, UK is fighting a rare type of cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma, which will need proton therapy treatment in the USA.
Euan was diagnosed on January 12 with an inoperable cancer in his skull, requiring 6 rounds of chemotherapy, then proton therapy in the USA. Four days later, Euan was back in Edinburgh being prepped for chemo, the first round of which started on the 24th. His mom Michelle said: “Euan has had to give up so much this year, he can no longer ski with Arbroath Ski Club, which he really enjoyed, he can’t play football or hang out with his friends at Friday night club. None of this seems to be bothering him – he speaks with his friends on social media and has friends round when he feels up to it. He’s doing so well and is blowing everyone away with his positivity. He is forever telling the nurses that it’s okay when they need to wake him up for medications, etc. He just paints a huge smile on and gets on with it. He’s a true inspiration to the whole family.” Euan has a Facebook page and a Crowdfunding page, set up by a family friend to help them cover the living costs abroad. “People’s generosity already has blown us all away,” Michelle said.
Source: http://www.arbroathherald.co.uk/news/health/funds-being-raised-for-euan-s-battle-1-4389164
ANGIE’S BRAIN TUMOR BATTLE
Angelina was diagnosed last December shortly after her third birthday, after her parents noticed she was having difficulty with her vision and an MRI revealed a life threatening brain tumor.
Angelina was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare illness that occurs in only 100 children a year. Doctors rapidly scheduled her for emergency surgery the next morning. The surgeon went in with the intention of removing or draining the tumor, but he was not able to remove any part of the tumor, which was connected to the optic nerves and the pituitary glands. On February 16th, Angelina begin receiving proton therapy in San Diego, CA. On Thursday, February 23rd the doctors notified them that Angelina needed to be immediately transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio. She received treatment for a week and then returned to San Diego. Angelina is now receiving 6 weeks of radiation therapy in hopes of shrinking the brain tumor. Her parents said: “We don’t know what the future holds for Angie, but we do know that she is a strong, brave little girl. For those of you who have asked what you can do to help, THANK YOU. If you feel so inclined to make a donation, your support will help cover the cost of medical expenses, travel back and forth for treatments, as well as lost income while away from work.”
Source: https://www.gofundme.com/angies-brain-tumor-battle
