The family of an 11-year-old who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive brain tumour is working with Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness of the disease.
Grace Kelly was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in August after a routine optician appointment. She underwent an eight-hour operation, which removed about 80% of the tumour, and is now having radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Her mum Vanessa says she and her husband John (pictured with Grace, centre, and siblings Nathan, left, and Marissa, right) are “shocked that this standard of care has been the same for the last 20 years”. They are now trying to raise £200,000 for pioneering immunotherapy treatment abroad.
Vanessa said: “It’s so distressing knowing there’s no cure for what Grace has, but we don’t want to give up. We see stories of people with GBMs who are doing well.”
Working with the charity to share Grace’s story, the family was interviewed on BBC East Midlands Today and ITV News Central alongside our spokesman Hugh Adams. Grace’s story has also been published on BBC Online and in the Leicester Mercury.
Hugh said: “This is such a devastating story, and we are so very sorry to hear of Grace’s terrible diagnosis. More must be done to develop and improve treatments and improve outcomes for patients like Grace.
“We desperately need to increase investment in research into brain tumour, as this is how we will find more effective treatment for brain tumour patients and, ultimately, a cure.”
To support the family in their fundraising for Grace’s treatment, visit their JustGiving page here.
To donate to Brain Tumour Research inspired by Grace’s story, please click here and share your reason as ‘Grace Kelly’.
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