Latest news with #LookNorthDad
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Girl with cancer hikes 11 miles for tumour charity
A 12-year-old girl living with a rare brain tumour has completed an 11-mile (18km) walk to help other children facing the disease. Thalia, from Sheffield, raised £3,700 for OSCAR's Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity by hiking Ullswater Way in the Lake District. "I wanted to prove to myself and others that while this disease can hold you back in certain ways, it can't stop you doing what you love," she said. Her father, Chris, a cancer researcher at the University of Sheffield, said when his daughter was diagnosed in March 2023, he would never have expected her to take on the challenge. "We were told this [sort of thing] was not going to be possible," he said. "We know many other families whose children did not survive very long at all." Thalia suffered significant paralysis on the left side of her body as a result of the tumour, a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Thalia's "incredible positive atmosphere" had helped her regain her movements and fine motor skills and family life was "remarkably normal", her father said. She had daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy for three months and weekly chemotherapy for six months, and in the year since, has been stable. Her father described this as a "happy surprise" given the aggressive nature of the disease. "The past couple of years have really taught us to live more in the now and do things while you can," he said. "We don't have a concept of putting something off and saying, 'there's always time later'." Thalia has the same approach to life as her father, as just a few weeks after completing the near-half marathon, she is set to hike Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales. Cancer had taught her "determination and willingness" and made her stronger, she said. "I am partly disappointed that the walk is over because I really enjoyed it," she added. "It provided security around me and I really felt like I belonged." The group of 50 people who took part in the hike raised a total of £25,000 for OSCAR's, which was set up in memory of nine-year-old Oscar Hughes to help families of children with brain tumours "at the point of greatest need". Phil Martinez, from the charity, said it was an "important life lesson" for children to know they can help other young people. "Thalia is leading the way in that respect," he added. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Dad in research call as girl faces brain tumour Girl's cancer walk to 'give hope' to other children
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Girl's cancer walk to 'give hope' to other children
A 12-year-old girl has said she wants to "give hope" to children living with a brain tumour, as she prepares to take on a charity walk. Thalia, from Sheffield, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two years ago and now plans to walk the Ullswater Way for a charity which has supported her. She said cancer had given her "determination" and she wanted to go back to doing activities she enjoyed before her diagnosis, such as walking with her family. "There's not many treatments for this, but I want to give hope and support to kids like me," she said. Thalia's parents noticed an issue with her co-ordination in March 2023, leading to doctors diagnosing her with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumour. "At the start of it I was very scared," she said. "I remember one time where I was left in my hospital room all alone and I was sat there thinking 'what is going on?'." Her dad Chris Toseland said: "You sort of just retreat into that prospect that 'OK, this is just our daily life'. "It is very much just in the motion of treatment, looking after Thalia, Thalia was very tired in that time." Her condition was described as "stable" by Chris, with her having some treatment to help control it. "It's about, therefore, that we make the most of all the moments because the point is things can change so rapidly as we've learnt over the past two years." Thalia has been helped by York-based charity Oscar's, which specialises in support for children with brain tumours. It provides so-called booster boxes, which are filled with gifts to keep their spirits up. Chris said he felt "incredible pride" at Thalia's efforts to complete the 20-mile Ullswater Way walk. He said: "She's always been very thoughtful and wanting to bring help to people as much as possible." As a family, they have been taking part in training walks near their home and in the Peak District. "It's actually been really, really fun," Thalia said. "There's been times when we're outside and it's lovely weather and we're just having fun walking." Phil Martinez, from Oscar's, said it helped families "at the point of greatest need". "We can be there on the end of a message, on the end of a phone call and give them that guidance and hope," he said. "I think it's really important for children to know they can help other children. "Thalia is just leading the way in that respect. She's going through it herself and she wants to make it better for others." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Dad in research call as girl faces brain tumour
