Baby’s brain tumour mistaken for milk allergy inspires father’s marathon run

Brain Tumour Research

2 min read

A Cambridgeshire father is running the TCS London Marathon to raise funds for research into brain tumours, after his son died from a tumour doctors initially attributed to a milk allergy.

Council worker Robert Moss, 34, from Peterborough, is taking on the 26-mile race in April on our behalf. It will celebrate the life of his second child, Louie, and mark three years since the six-month-old died of a brain tumour.

After failing to hit developmental milestones, chronically vomiting and struggling to sleep, doctors thought Louie could have an allergy to dairy milk – which they thought he was taking in while breastfeeding. Louie’s condition worsened, despite antibiotics and a milk alternative, prompting a spinal tap and a CT scan – revealing a high-grade embryonal brain tumour.

Robert, who also has two other young children, said: “We expected Louie’s symptoms to settle, but they didn’t. We were in disbelief at the news he had a brain tumour. I didn’t know much about the disease and to think my baby, who was just months old, had one was shocking.”

Louie, whose story has since been covered by ITV News, underwent emergency surgery to drain fluid from his brain and, just days later, doctors removed more than 80% of his tumour. Within two weeks, however, a follow-up scan revealed it had returned to its original size. Louie later lost his battle and died.

In memory of Louie, Robert signed up for the biggest fitness challenge of his life, having only ever completed a half marathon distance more than a decade ago. He said: “It’s go big or go home with this challenge. I wanted to do something that was a proper challenge for me, a proper way to honour Louie’s life.

“My reason for running is so that when a patient is diagnosed in the future, they are given every opportunity to attain a positive outcome.”

Robert has already raised more than £6,000, enough to fund multiple days of research at a Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. To help fund even more, donate to us via Rob’s JustGiving page or see what fundraising events are happening near you.