Help Our Aaliyah Fight Brain Cancer!

We have set this GoFundMe for our beautiful 6 year old Daughter Aaliyah. On the morning of the 17th of July 21, Aaliyah was nauseous and vomiting, her walking was off balance and her eyes were seeing double. We took her straight to our Doctors, where she was wrongly diagnosed and were told the sickness was down to the heatwave and her eyes had conjunctivitis. We walked away feeling relieved and after some antibiotics she would be back to herself. Never did we expect that evening to end up in Hospital with her to be met with the worse news a parent could hear. After many tests and a CT scan it showed a shadow in her brain. We will never forget that moment, frightened, confused and upset having no idea what this could be.

Next morning Aaliyah was brought down for an MRI scan to find out exactly what this ‘Shadow’ was. 2 days Later we were shown her scan and were told she had a Tumor located in the Brain Stem, which controls many of the body's most vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate to name a few.

The Neuro-Team recommended that we get A biopsy to determine whether her tumor was benign or malignant. This was an extremely risky procedure so it was a tough decision to make, but we felt it was the best option for Aaliyah to get her the right treatment.

The biopsy was then performed 5 days later and Results showed us that it was the Worst case scenario that we had discussed before with doctors. A high grade malignant brain tumor, also known as Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) this the most deadliest brain cancer in children. Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of children survive two years from diagnosis. Most children are given 6-9 months to live prior to diagnosis.

From that day on our whole world was turned upside down. We were told Aaliyahs tumor was inoperable because of it’s location and Radiation & Chemotherapy were our only options to keep this tumor at bay, but with it being an aggressive cancer chances are it can grow back rapidly and treatment may not work at all. We cannot possibly put into words the pain we felt from this news.

We have spent countless hours researching into this horrible disease and have found various types of therapy’s/clinical trials as there is no cure as of now for DIPG. Most trials help significantly prolong a child’s life. If what we are doing right now treatment wise fails, we hope to enroll Aaliyah onto a Trial only available in America called ‘ONC201’. This is the most promising one we have came across.

Our hearts break for Aaliyah, she is the most amazing little girl, she is so wise beyond her years. The most kindest, beautiful & inspirational child. She is loved by anybody she’s meets and Right now we are living life by the second and showering her with all our love.

So we are asking people to please help and donate for when the time comes for this Trial to help Aaliyah. So that we are set up and ready to go. All expenses will be used towards Aaliyahs journey - international travel, trials, alternative supplements and medical expenses & bills. From the bottom of our hearts, We really appreciate any contribution towards this fight, thank you!

Lauren, Karl & Aaliyah x