A family who lost their young son to a brain tumour is calling for better treatments and more investment for research into the disease.
Thomas Pearce was just nine years old when he died of a high-grade glioma in November 2024. He had been diagnosed with the disease nine months earlier, after his parents, Louise and Gary, spotted subtle symptoms, including changes to his speech, a slight tremor in his hand and forgetfulness.
“Thomas started to forget things, he even forgot it was half-term. When he developed double vision, and forgot how to swim during a lesson, I knew something was seriously wrong and contacted our GP. But because it wasn’t deemed urgent, we were told to wait for an appointment,” Louise said.
Concerned about her son’s condition, Louise took Thomas to hospital where a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain. A further MRI scan revealed increasingly serious findings, including multiple areas of concern in his frontal lobe, temporal love, and brainstem. The tumour was located deep in the centre of his brain and deemed inoperable, though a biopsy was later performed. Testing confirmed that the tumour was a high-grade glioma.
Thomas had six weeks of radiotherapy, followed by a course of chemotherapy, but a scan in September 2024 revealed that the cancer had spread further into his brain stem and extensively down his spine. Thomas passed away at home on 16th November, surrounded by his family.
Louise said: “Nothing prepares you for the grief, loss and total devastation. If Thomas had been diagnosed with another type of cancer, he might have had more hope.”
In just over a week’s time, Louise, Gary and their sons, Josh and Charlie, will be stepping forward alongside a supportive community of people taking part in our Walk of Hope. They’re joining our event in the New Forest and have already raised more than £1,300 on their JustGiving page.
Time is running out to register to join one of our six Walk of Hope events, taking place across the UK – find your nearest walk and register for your free fundraising pack here.
Or if you can’t join us on Saturday 27th September, you can hold your own walk wherever you are on another day that suits you. For more information, and to let us know about your plans, click here.
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