Latest news with #SophieReid
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Jersey woman launches brain tumour support group
A Jersey woman with brain cancer has set up a support group for islanders with brain Reid was diagnosed at the end of 2024 and is now undergoing a 12-month course of Jersey Brain Tumour Support Group is a place for people to share their experiences and help them feel less alone, she said."From all the things I've done on social media so far there's so many people out there as well who are family friends, carers, or have lost loved ones to brain cancer. She added: "I think it's so important that we can all stick together and hopefully help give people some hope." She added it had been "a really nice place to be able to have people from Jersey who obviously have the same experiences of having to travel off-island to receive treatment"."I just thought it would be a really nice idea of a local group where we can connect and share stories and hopefully support each other."Ms Reid is also set to DJ at the Watersplash on Friday night as part of its Dance to Defeat Cancer event - raising money for Brain Tumour Charity Jersey and the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I was given shock diagnosis after collapsing at work - now I have less than 10 years to live'
A 37 year old mum of four has shared the devastating moment she was told she had less than 10 years to live after a sudden seizure at work led to a life-altering diagnosis A mum was dealt the devastating news that she has less than 10 years to live after she collapsed at work and was given a shocking diagnosis. Sophie Reid suddenly collapsed at work and was left "utterly horrified" as she tried to call for help, but no words came out. The 37-year-old hairstylist thought she was dying before falling unconscious for five minutes, and temporarily stopped breathing. "I didn't know what was going on, and I genuinely felt like I was dying. "I thought I was having a stroke – it was absolutely terrifying – because nothing verbally was working. "I had been doing a client's hair and went over to grab some products. My colleagues and I were making each other laugh, but then I collapsed on the floor and stared blankly at the ceiling," she told NeedToKnow. "I tried as hard as I could to ask what I was doing and tell them something was wrong, but no words were coming out." Her colleagues called an ambulance, and Sophie, who hails from Jersey, was rushed to hospital. Tests were carried out, and it was revealed that she had suffered a seizure. However, she had a gut feeling that something else wasn't quite right, so she visited her local GP, who was "shocked" to discover that a scan had not been offered, and referred her for one. In October 2024, further tests were carried out, and it confirmed that Sophie had lesions on the brain, which were cancerous. "I was completely shocked. I started to think back on the last few weeks and realised there had been signs I wasn't quite right," she explains. "My friends and family had said they noticed I looked a bit off balance. And I'd recently suffered a loss, so I put it all down to grief. "When I saw the results confirming a brain tumour, I froze. It never even crossed my mind, as other than a few wobbly walks, I felt fine." She was taken in an air ambulance to Southampton Hospital to undergo an MRI. "I was petrified and devastated," the mum of four to Kyla, 12 and Alex, 11, as well as step kids Connor, 15, and Joseph, 12, shares. "All I could think about was how I was going to tell my children – and if I would be around to see them grow up. But the next morning, I was told to carry on with life as normal until I could have a biopsy. "I didn't know how long that would take, and my life was hanging in the balance." In an attempt to get some answers sooner, Sophie went private with support from her husband, Jordan, 41. Another MRI confirmed the tumour had "quickly grown" and that it urgently needed to be removed. Sophie spent £22,000 on a craniotomy through private health care, due to an 18-month waiting list otherwise, which removed 90% of the tumour. However, the results revealed that it was incurable, and she was given less than 10 years to live. The brain tumour measured 4.8cm - the same size as a small lime. "Finding out the full extent of my brain tumour was devastating," she says. "As a mum, I kept thinking about how I'd protect my kids from all of this. They're still so little. "It wasn't just fear – it was heartbreak. I grieved the normal life we once had. "At the same time, though, everything became more precious; every cuddle, laugh and moment. They're my strength in all of this and keep me going." She is now due to start chemotherapy for a year, which is hoped to delay her deterioration and give her precious time with her family. The financial burden has taken a toll as Sophie is unable to work, and in a bid to raise money, they've set up a JustGiving page, with £6,424 out of £9,000 donated so far. Reflecting on her shock diagnosis, while hoping to raise awareness of brain tumours, Sophie shares, "The salon is quite a triggering place now. I also have issues with processing words and being in busy, crowded places with lots of noise. "It's had such a massive impact on my family, especially the children. I can't imagine how it must feel being told that your mum is dying." She continues, "The cost of living here is incredibly high, and while we've had some support from a local charity, this only covered a few months. I'm struggling to keep on top of everything. "It's physically draining worrying about potentially becoming homeless and not being able to feed your kids. But I'm coping quite well despite everything. "I'm focusing on today, making memories with my kids and holding onto hope. Each day I'm here is a gift. "I can't help but wonder how different things might be [if the scan had been carried out in the first instance]. There's definitely anger, sadness and a deep sense of what if. But I know staying in that place won't help me heal. "After the initial shock, all I can do is spread my story and support others going through cancer. It's okay to advocate for yourself and to know you're not alone. And push for answers, as time plays such a big factor between life and death." Simon West, medical director for Health and Care Jersey, said: "While I'm unable to comment on individual patients or the care that they receive from Health and Care Jersey, I appreciate that it must be a deeply worrying and upsetting time for a patient and their family when they learn that they have a brain tumour. "I would like to reassure Islanders that Health and Care Jersey has medical pathways in place to provide patients with good evidence-based care and that appropriate scans and treatments are available free of charge for eligible Jersey residents. "I, along with the Minister for Health and Social Services, have met with Ms Reid to listen to her concerns. Learning about patient experiences is invaluable in helping us to improve services. As a department, we are committed to continuously working to improve the delivery of care to Jersey residents and visitors."
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Law firm supports disadvantaged children and young people with 2025 fundraising challenge
Staff at law firm Aberdein Considine from Peterhead to Manchester will be swapping their suits for active wear as they take on a series of fundraising challenges in aid of the firm's 2025 charity partners, Cash for Kids and the Russell Anderson Foundation (RAF). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Following successful fundraising activities in previous years, which have seen Aberdein Considine employees raise more than £80,000 for various worthy causes since 2022, the firm is set to pull out all the stops in 2025 to support Scotland's disadvantaged children and young people. Team members from throughout the firm, which has 21 offices and more than 450 staff across Scotland and the north of England, will undertake a variety of challenges in 2025, including long-distance bike rides, marathons and a talent show, as they raise money for the two charity partners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The RAF improves the lives of children in socially deprived areas of Aberdeen through life-changing programmes that make a sustainable and measurable difference to their health and wellbeing. L-R Sophie Reid, Sam Cardosi, Karayn Chisholm of Cash for Kids, Emma Roman and Robert Holland. Cash for Kids is dedicated to supporting children and young people across the UK affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness and those with additional needs. Jacqueline Law, Managing Partner at Aberdein Considine, welcomed the decision to support the RAF and Cash for Kids as this year's charity partners and said the firm is ready to hit the ground running with a full programme of fundraising events. She said: 'Aberdein Considine has a strong presence across Scotland, but we know that being part of a community is about so much more than just having an office on the high street. This is why we selected the Russell Anderson Foundation and Cash for Kids, two charities that support children and young people close to home and across the UK, as our 2025 charity partners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our colleagues will be stepping out of their comfort zones to undertake a series of fundraising challenges, pushing themselves physically and mentally, to raise much-needed funds in support of our chosen charities and the vital work they do.' L-R: Danny Anderson, Megan Young, Elaine Elder, Ruth Aberdein and Russell Anderson. All members of the Aberdein Considine charity committee. Aberdein Considine's fundraising calendar kicked off last week as staff members took part in the Run Balmoral 10km. Next on the agenda is a 12-hour continuous walk, run and cycle challenge in Edinburgh on Thursday 1 May as part of Cash for Kids Day. Members of the team - including former Dons captain and 11-times Scotland player Russell Anderson himself, who is an independent financial planner with Aberdein Considine Wealth - will then join bp's Coast 2 Coast charity cycle from Dumbarton to Aberdeen, with staff also taking part in the Ellon Pedal Car Race, both in June 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Later in the year, colleagues in the North-east will lace up their trainers to run the Loch Ness Marathon before employees from across the firm compete to receive a golden buzzer in the 'Aberdein Considine's Got Talent' competition in October. The firm will also cheer on Robert Holland, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Aberdein Considine, as he and his son look to conquer their shared fear of heights to tackle the K2 base camp trek at the second-highest mountain on Earth, all in the name of raising money for charity. Karayn Chisholm, Corporate Fundraiser for Cash for Kids, said: 'We are thrilled to have been chosen as a charity partner for 2025, and we're excited to work with such a dedicated and passionate team. The fundraising plans already in motion are both inspiring and ambitious, and we look forward to bringing them to life together. 'The support of Aberdein Considine will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our local communities. With their help, we will be able to reach even more children and young people – helping them to feel supported, valued, and empowered to build brighter futures. We can't wait to see what we can achieve together.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell Anderson Foundation Chief Executive, Graeme Burnett, said: 'We are eternally grateful to Aberdein Considine for selecting RAF as one of the company's charity partners for 2025 as we rely heavily on the generosity of organisations in order to deliver our programmes which are quite literally transforming the lives of youngsters in the most socially deprived areas of the city.' Further events across the year will include a charity quiz and various runs across the North-east of Scotland. Jacqueline Law continued: 'We have been blown away by the level of support shown across the firm for our previous charity partners, with members of our teams giving up countless hours to take part in events, challenges and activities for good causes, and this year will be no different.' The firm also offers colleagues a day each year to take part in charitable work or volunteering, in whatever capacity they can, and encourages staff to use this day to give back to their local community.
