Joshua McCormack died from a very rare brain tumour in January 2017. Brain tumours continue to cause more deaths than any other type of childhood cancer.
His mum, Nicola, shares Joshua’s story to raise awareness of these rare types of cancer and the lack of research funding in the UK.
“During Joshua’s gruelling treatment, he experienced hearing loss and vision loss and his spine and skull stopped growing due to the radiation. He was also left with learning disabilities. He contracted several infections and had to have frequent blood and platelet transfusions during his treatment. The high-dose chemotherapy caused permanent damage to his kidneys.
“During his treatment, he contracted pneumonia, which left him fighting for his life. A few weeks later, he lost his battle.
“Throughout Joshua’s illness, I was very vocal about the lack of research into paediatric cancer. I also realised that not all cancer charities are transparent about how they spend donations. That’s why I chose Friends of Rosie. Being a volunteer-led charity, I felt reassured that almost every penny raised would go directly into funding research.”
Katrina has specialised in the field of occupational personal injury for over 35 years and has worked exclusively for the victims of asbestos related diseases for the last 20 years. Katrina is an APIL Accredited Occupational Disease and Asbestos Disease Specialist and Senior Litigator and has Law Society Personal Injury Accreditation.
Carla has over 20 years’ experience specialising in strategic communications, engagement and marketing across the public and private sector, including the BBC, Manchester Metropolitan University and Muse Developments. She is currently Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing for The Growth Company, an award-winning social enterprise that enables growth, creates jobs and improves lives.
