Hi Everyone,

We’d like to share the story of an incredible young woman and close friend - Joscelyne (Josc) Kerr.

From the moment we met Josc at university, it was clear she was something special. She focused on her studies, never missed class, and was always ready with a laugh. She has brought light into every life she touches. Her infectious smile and incredible dance moves never fail to lift our spirits. She’s been an inspiration to all of us.

At just 17, Josc was already on an extraordinary path. Achieving straight A’s in her exams, excelling in dance, earning her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and receiving unconditional offers from five top Scottish universities to study Astrophysics - her future looked bright and boundless.

But that brightness was soon overshadowed.

On the day of her school prom, a blown pupil was noticed. An optician initially suspected an infection, but after Josc began experiencing severe double vision, further investigations led to her being admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. In August, she was diagnosed with a rare Schwannoma tumour.

Despite this shocking diagnosis, Josc pressed forward. She started at the University of Edinburgh and, in no time, made the highly competitive dance team and played rugby better than any of us - all while dealing with ongoing vision challenges.

We still don’t know how she managed to catch a rugby ball or perform flawless dance routines with severe double vision. But if there’s one thing to know about Josc - it’s that she’s no quitter.

Then, on 25th November, came devastating news. The tumour had grown and now required urgent brain surgery. The operation was extraordinarily complex -the tumour was wrapped around her carotid artery and extended along her third ocular nerve to her brain stem, an area once described by surgeons as ‘no man’s land’.

Still, the surgery was a success in many ways. Although the tumour could only be partially removed, Josc survived the operation. She faced major challenges afterward - losing muscle function in her left eye and having to relearn how to speak, read, and write.

Imagine not being able to communicate - but still finding a way to say you thought you were going to die. Tragically, that was nearly the case just four days post-surgery.

Yet, she kept smiling - so much so that hospital staff nicknamed her “Smiler.” She won the hearts of everyone around her, just as she has won ours.

Then came the hardest blow of all.

Just two weeks after surgery, on 20th December 2023, Josc received a heartbreaking diagnosis: stage 4 brain cancer. Doctors gave her a prognosis of 12 to 18 months.

How does anyone process that?

In true Josc fashion - by protecting the people she loves, staying fiercely strong, and setting her sights on returning to university as soon as possible.

When asked if she wanted to take a year out for treatment and recovery, her response was simple:

“If I don’t have long to live, I best not waste any time.”

This August, we (a small group of her close friends) will be running or walking 5k a day to raise funds for her surgery. Please, if you’re able, donate what you can - every contribution counts.

Thank you for listening to her story.