Brave youngsters launch films about brain tumours for children their age
A 12-year-old boy from Sedgley was among a group of brave youngsters who have battled brain tumours at the launch of a series of films explaining the disease and its treatment.
The animated films, which feature a boy called Jake who has a brain tumour, offer healthcare professionals a new way to communicate with children and families affected by the condition.
In each of the six films, Jake explains to young patients and those around them what to expect after their diagnosis. He talks about subjects including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and MRI scans.
The films were unveiled at an event at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where young brain tumour patients and survivors pushed the button to bring Jake to life on screen in public for the first time.
Among those attending the launch were Michelle Bould and her son Stephen, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of nine.
Stephen, who attends the Cherry Tree Learning Centre in Dudley, had surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at the hospital. His most recent scan showed no trace of the tumour, but he is monitored regularly for any signs of recurrence. He has since raised more than £3,000 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Cancer Centre Appeal.
Mrs Bould said: "We would really have appreciated more child-friendly information when Stephen was diagnosed.
"A lot of the information we were given was geared towards four and five-year-olds, or it was for older children and was very wordy – there was nothing in between.
"There was a gap in terms of pre-teen children with brain tumours. Jake will plug that gap, which will be invaluable."
Stephen has been invited to speak at a forthcoming conference of head teachers about how best to help integrate children back into mainstream school after they have had cancer.
Dr Martin English, consultant paediatric oncologist at Birmingham Children's Hospital, who also attended the launch, said: "The films will help people feel better about what's happening to them."
The films were created by The Brain Tumour Charity, endorsed by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and supported by Children in Need.
