Girl thanks Newcastle cancer ward with auction

Aug 22 2009 by David Black, The Journal

A TEENAGER whose malignant brain tumour was diagnosed because of the persistence of her worried parents is planning a charity fundraising event – to thank the medics who saved her life and help other young cancer sufferers.

Charlotte Lee began having severe headaches, dizzy spells and vomiting episodes in 2007, but doctors put the problems down to hormonal issues or a virus.

Her parents Joan and Kevin were not happy, and after several visits to the GPs’ surgery, they said they would like a second opinion.

The following morning – in August 2007 – Charlotte, then aged 13, was again sick and in pain so they took her immediately to the accident and emergency department at Newcastle General Hospital.

An MRI scan revealed she had a medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain tumour, and within 24 hours she was operated on to remove it.

Charlotte, who is known to her family and friends as Charliie, then underwent months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy before a follow-up scan last November gave her the all-clear. Now Charliie, 15, whose parents run a bed and breakfast at Stone Cottage near Ponteland, Northumberland, is holding a special auction night next month to raise funds for the children’s cancer unit at Newcastle’s RVI and research into medulloblastoma.

It will be held at The Badger pub, near Ponteland, on Friday, September 25, at 7pm, with dozens of donated items being sold off to raise as much as possible. They include golf days, hairdressing sessions and restaurant vouchers.

Charliie, who goes to Ponteland High School and has two younger sisters, Jessica, 12, and Stephanie, nine, said: “I knew for a good few months that something was wrong with me, and when I had dizzy spells I even told people I thought I had a brain tumour.

“It wasn’t diagnosed and the GPs put it down to really bad headaches or PMT. It was good that my parents decided to take me to hospital that day. It was rough at times, because my body took really bad to some of the treatment, but, touch wood, I am fine now and all my scans have been clear.

“The hospital staff were lovely and really helpful during my treatment and I am so grateful for what they did. I have been wanting to raise funds for them and my mum suggested an auction evening.”

Mum Joan said: “We took Charliie to the doctors’ quite a few times and they put it down to hormonal issues and then a virus. I said we were not happy because it was going on too long and wanted a second opinion. The very next morning we took her to the General and the tumour was discovered.

“Charliie wants to give something back by raising money for the new children’s cancer ward at the RVI and for research into medulloblastoma. We are totally grateful for what they did for her.” Anyone who wants to donate items for sale at the charity auction can contact Mrs Lee on 07753-181924.