A young brain tumour patient is one of the four faces of our Wear A Hat Day campaign this year.
Betsy Griffin, 10, from Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, has been left blind by a low-grade optic nerve glioma. She was just two when she was diagnosed with the tumour after developing nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements. The toddler endured 18 months of chemotherapy before going on targeted treatment, which she remains on today.
Throughout March, Betsy will be part of our campaign to raise awareness of the disease and encourage people to get involved in our flagship fundraiser, Wear A Hat Day, held at the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
Betsy’s mum, Rochelle, 40, said: “It’s been heartbreaking watching everything Betsy’s had to go through, but she never ceases to amaze us with her positive attitude and strength of character.”
The schoolgirl, who became a YouTube star after posting inspirational videos of positivity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has also written a book, requires lifelong hormone replacements and is being monitored with regular scans having undergone a debulking surgery in 2021.
Rochelle added: “Betsy’s never let her brain tumour hold her back and we’re really proud of everything she’s achieved. We think she’s really inspirational and hope her poster inspires others to take part in Wear A Hat Day to help raise vital funds for research into brain tumours.”
For more information on Wear A Hat Day, and to register to take part on Thursday 28th March (or any day in March that suits you), visit www.wearahatday.org
Related reading: