Help Our 12-Year-Old Son Zain Through His Brain Tumour Treatment

My name is Sammy , and I am the father of Zain, our youngest child and our only son. Zain is just 12 years old and has three older sisters who love him dearly.

Until recently, Zain was a healthy, energetic, and joyful boy. He was full of life, always smiling, and deeply passionate about football, playing as a left winger. He attended Sparrow Farm Drive School in Feltham and had never experienced any health problems. He never complained, never slowed down, and lived life with the carefree spirit of a happy child.

Everything changed suddenly.

While we were on holiday, Zain began experiencing severe headaches, vomiting, and difficulty walking. Like many parents would, we initially thought it was a virus. However, after urgent medical investigations and a CT scan, we received the devastating news that no family is ever prepared for.

Zain was diagnosed with a brain lesion in the pineal gland. He was urgently admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he underwent endoscopic brain surgery and a biopsy. We are currently awaiting histopathology results, and Zain is now under the care of specialist neurosurgical and oncology teams. He is expected to begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy as part of his treatment plan.

Our entire world collapsed in that moment.

Both my wife and I are currently out of work, as Zain requires full-time care and constant supervision during this critical period. Every day is focused on hospital visits, recovery, monitoring his condition, and supporting him emotionally through fear, pain, and uncertainty. I hope to return to work as soon as Zain’s condition allows and when I feel my wife can cope alone, but for now our son must come first.

This diagnosis came without warning, turning our lives upside down overnight. We feel lost, overwhelmed, and emotionally exhausted, trying to navigate a situation we never imagined facing. Alongside the emotional strain, we are facing significant financial pressure due to loss of income, travel to hospital appointments, daily living expenses, and the long road of treatment ahead.

We are asking for help during this incredibly difficult and unexpected time. Any contribution—no matter how small—will help support our family and allow us to focus fully on Zain’s treatment, recovery, and wellbeing.

If you are unable to donate, we kindly ask that you share Zain’s story or keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We believe deeply in the power of community, kindness, and hope.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us and for giving our son strength during the hardest fight of his young life.