This week, we want to help a young girl who has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Tegan is a happy, energetic little girl, and a keen gymnast. She has two brothers and lives with her mum and her mum’s partner in Surrey.
On August 3rd, her life was turned upside down. She was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour - a type of cancer in the kidney which usually affects children. The cancer is stage 4, and has also spread to one of her lungs.
So, over the past month, instead of heading off on the summer holiday they had planned, Tegan has been in hospital having intensive treatment - she is about to start her fifth round of chemotherapy and is due to have her kidney removed in October. It is likely she will then have further chemotherapy for 6 months and possibly radiotherapy.
Tegan is having to face so much for someone so young. Just weeks ago she had the carefree life of a 9 year old, and now her days are suddenly filled with gruelling treatments and major surgery.
Tegan’s illness has taken its toll on the whole family. Tegan’s mum has left work to care for her, and she is trying so hard to make sure Tegan’s brothers are still getting her attention, while she is in and out of hospital with Tegan. She said they have been amazing, and haven’t complained once, but she still feels she hasn’t been there for them enough.
They all have so much to deal with, and we want to help make life a little bit easier for them during this very difficult time.