A mum who lost her beloved son to a brain tumour is sharing his story to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for the disease.
Callum Elliott was just 20 months old when he was diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic ependymoma. He had his first of three surgeries in September 2013 followed by chemotherapy treatment with drugs so toxic his mum, Zoe, had to wear gloves to hold her son.
After undergoing only five out of 35 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy, and radiotherapy treatment, Callum’s tumour became too aggressive and he died on 9th January 2017, aged four.
Now, Zoe is sharing Callum’s story on Ependymoma Awareness Day. She said: “You assume because your child is in the hospital they are going to be saved, you can’t think any other way. I learnt so much about caring for a sick child during that time, something I never wanted to experience.”
Zoe is also raising funds for Brain Tumour Research in memory of her beloved son. On Saturday 18th June, Alongside her sister Katie and mum Jenny, Zoe will take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The ‘Callum’s Climbers’ team will summit the iconic peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, aiming to complete their challenge in less than 12 hours.
To support Zoe’s fundraising, please visit her JustGiving page here.