Charity Brain Tumour Support launches Christmas Appeal

Brain Tumour Support, a charity that runs a monthly Support Group in Exeter, is asking for donations to help it continue to provide its services to brain tumour patients, their friends, family and carers.

There are currently more than 100,000 people in the UK living with a brain tumour. The effects of a brain tumour diagnosis can be devastating to the patients and everyone around them.

Patients often lose their job, their driving licence and their independence. A brain tumour can also affect a patient’s personality and can cause depression and anxiety. While friends and family will do their best to help, many patients rely on help such as the support groups, counselling and on-line and telephone support offered by the charity Brain Tumour Support.

The charity has launched its Stars for Support appeal to help it raise funds to continue providing its vital services.

Volunteers have knitted beautiful sparkly Christmas tree decorations in the form of stars. Every time a donation for a star is received, Brain Tumour Support will hang a Star for Support on a tree in the charity’s office.

The Star for Support can be dedicated in the name of someone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.

"Whether in support or celebration, in memory or in tribute, it is a simple and personal gesture which will also help us to help others," said Tina Mitchell Skinner, founder and CEO of Brain Tumour Support. "Demand for our services is constantly growing and we urgently need to help more brain tumour patients and their families. Our charity relies entirely on donations and we hope that the people of Exeter will get behind our campaign and help us achieve our vision that no-one should feel alone when facing a brain tumour diagnosis."

The little girl in the photos is Lyla. 

Lyla is a bright and bouncy five-year-old. At just three years old, after two years of debilitating symptoms, Lyla was diagnosed with a low-grade, but very large, brain tumour. Since then her life, and that of her parents and siblings, has been a rollercoaster of experiences and emotions.

"Telling our other children about Lyla's tumour was one of the most difficult things I've had to do," said Lyla's dad Paul. "Our oldest kids asked: 'Is Lyla going to die?' which was heart-breaking."

Lyla endured a 15-hour operation to remove her tumour, and since then has had to deal with further surgery, infections, side effects from steroids, painful physiotherapy, frightening seizures, and even battled meningitis. The brain tumour has not only robbed Lyla of a normal life, it has changed the lives of everyone around her.

Family life has been over-shadowed by endless hospital appointments, normal days out and holidays have been disrupted, and there's tension from her siblings about the amount of attention Lyla receives.

"Every time things seem to be on the up, more bad news is waiting around the corner," says Paul. "At the moment, we don't know what the future holds."

Please visit www.braintumoursupport.co.ul/stars to find out more and order your Stars for Support.

Brain Tumour Support runs a monthly Support Group in Exeter. The meetings, which are run in conjunction with Force Cancer Charity, are held at FORCE Cancer Charity, Corner House, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW and are normally on the first Friday of the month, at 1.00pm – 2.30pm.  For more information, please see https://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/devon.html . You can also contact the Support Team on 01454 422701 or email support@braintumoursupport.co.uk

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