Charlotte’s Brain Tumour Journey
18.2.1997 – 24.2.2016
Diagnosis to death: 951 days
My mum and brother work tirelessly to put brain cancer on the map. I am no longer here. I died aged 19 years and 5 days, having spent my 19th birthday in a coma in 2016. That may sound a long time ago, but to my family it will always feel like yesterday.
When I was told I had a brain tumour, it felt like I had won first prize in the worst lottery imaginable. I loved life and there was so much I wanted to do. I was diagnosed in 2013, at the age of 16. My world fell apart. I was meant to start college that September - instead, I began chemotherapy and radiotherapy. From diagnosis to death, I lived for 31 months.
We kept a diary throughout my cancer journey. Sometimes I was able to live a little, so not every day is recorded. My mum now shares our words on X to raise awareness of one of the most underfunded cancers.
My treatment was the standard NHS chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Treatment abroad is incredibly expensive and out of reach for most families. Standard treatment remains the reality for the majority of brain tumour patients. There has been no advancement beyond the chemotherapy, Temozolomide, since it was first licensed in 1999.
My mum and brother both work full-time while also running the charity started in my name. Charlotte's BAG sefl-fund, meaning that every penny of your donation goes to brain cancer research at Charlotte's Lab, King's College Hospital, London. The charity pays expenses personally, from train tickets to conferences and charity events to PO Box & PayPal fees. We believe this is the least owed to those whose life Charlotte touched.
Charlotte was brave, kind, and wise beyond her years. She shared her journey openly on her YouTube channel. Her final video was filmed on 4 February 2016, the day before she went into a coma.
Since then, her channel has been watched more than 26 million times around the world. Through this work, her legacy lives on.
A RT or follow would be greatly appreciated to help reach a wider audience.
https://t.co/qGIjBOl3aq
@thereisnojayjay And one that's been a staple for 25 years! A Nigel Slater classic. I sometimes swap the chicken and chorizo for smoked fish (haddock or cod) as my wife is pescatarian - and sometimes add a small red chili and/or garlic...https://t.co/AC0XL9Gmlr
@thereisnojayjay Not normally a poster, but it;s soup...here are couple we made recently. One if you like subtle spices and beans...https://t.co/K5IJ4MG92N