Ten-year-old Betsy Griffin won a Bravery Award last night (Wednesday 18th September) for her positive attitude and inspiring work with Brain Tumour Research after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of two.
Betsy, from Hertfordshire, underwent 18 months of chemotherapy and ongoing targeted treatment, following diagnosis. Tests revealed that a low-grade optic nerve glioma had caused her to develop involuntary eye movements, known as nystagmus.
Tragically, the schoolgirl lost her eyesight but she went on to start a YouTube channel called Betsy’s Positive Videos in 2020 with the help of her parents, which now has almost 5,000 subscribers.
Two years later, Betsy published a collection of modern-day feel-good fables. Out of the Woods was released in 2022, with an audiobook narrated by broadcaster and author Fearne Cotton.
Despite the challenges she lives with, Betsy personally responds to every comment on her social media accounts. After winning the BBC’s Make A Difference Award, which recognises inspirational individuals, she said: “The first words that have come to me are goodness gracious great balls of fire!”
Betsy was also the face of our Wear a Hat Day campaign last March for Brain Tumour Awareness Month, appearing on 400 buses and 100 digital screens nationwide.
In her acceptance speech, Betsy said: “We’re humans, we can’t have positive emotions all the time. I feel like I have been put on this world to give you that nudge to stay positive.
“To be positive you need to go through tough times. Thank you to everyone who has got me here today.”
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Published Thursday 19th September 2024.