Hope for Hallie and Hannah.

A few days after Christmas, on December 28th 2021, and after rushed visits to the GP and A&E, my dear friend Hannah and Hallies father Luke we’re given the devastating news that their two-year-old daughter has a highly aggressive brain tumour, known as a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). The tumour has sadly been classified as a Grade 4, and is inoperable.

Hallie has gone from being a happy, bright, capable two-year-old, to being unable to walk unassisted over night and within a few short weeks has suffered many other side affects to this aggressive brain stem tumour.

I am starting this fundraiser in order to give Hallie a better quality of life following this heartbreaking news. 

This tumour occurs in an area of the brain stem called the pons, which controls many of the body’s most vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. Because of its location in the brain and how rapidly it progresses, DIPG is a 'high grade malignant' brain tumour. 

The treatment plan in place is to start radiotherapy on the 26th of January in the hope Hallie has recovered enough from her biopsy.

The average overall survival for people with DIPG is less than 1 year. 

There are a number of reasons for which I would like to raise funds for Hannah and Hallie at this time. 

My initial reasons were in the hope of Hannah, Hallie and her close family will be able to go on a holiday to Disneyland Paris all together to create special memories with Hallie. 

Furthermore, Hannah's living accommodation is no longer suitable for their needs. As Hannah lives in a small one-bedroom flat at the top of a steep narrow staircase, which is, quite frankly, dangerous. I hope that we can find more suitable accommodation where Hannah is able to access her property with ease and with the possibility of Hallie having her own bedroom. 

Although at the moment we are following the treatment plan provided by the NHS, we are researching alternative therapies outside of the NHS. We understand that these could be costly and therefore I do feel it would be reassuring for Hannah to know that those options would be available.

I understand that these are difficult times for many of us financially. I know that Hannah and Hallie would appreciate any donation at this time however small. Thank you so much.