A devastated family is working with Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness after being told that their five-year-old son has suffered a recurrence of the disease.
Aaron Wharton was first diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic ependymoma brain tumour in April last year, when he was just four. He underwent surgery and radiotherapy, but in June 2021, a routine MRI scan revealed a new, large tumour growing in the same place as the original one. Aaron has since undergone two further surgeries.
Now, the family is working with Brain Tumour Research during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the devastation of a childhood brain tumour diagnosis.
Aaron’s mum, Nicola, said: “I struggle to comprehend why there isn’t more funding into brain tumour research, especially when you consider that the disease kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. I am committed to helping to raise awareness of the issues surrounding brain tumours, having first-hand experience of the devastation they cause.
“They can't even tell us how long we have with him because it's so unpredictable. It's just a really difficult thing to listen to and try to take in and then make sense of it all. At the same time, you try to be strong for Aaron and not show that you're upset or you’re worried.”
If you have been touched by Aaron’s story, please donate this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and help us get closer to a cure for all types of brain tumours.
Related reading:
- Aaron’s story
- Brain Tumour Research is developing a specialist childhood brain tumour research hub
- Ependymoma
If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.