Fife teen who survived brain tumour starts fundraising campaign

Maisie Dury, from St Andrews, is taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge to raise vital funds for the charity.

Maisie, a pupil at Madras College, was diagnosed with a low-grade central neurocytoma, a type of neuronal tumour, in 2007, after her parents Vanessa and Ollie noticed that she would sometimes look a bit “vacant”.

Maisie added: “My mum and dad were completely devastated. It was a total shock. The following day, they were told that my tumour was in the centre of my brain, in an unusual position. Luckily, I had an amazing surgeon, who took time to explain everything and went ahead with the operation the next day.”

Maisie’s tumour, located centrally within the ventricles, was successfully removed by the surgery. Because her tumour-type is rare among children and because so little is known about brain tumours in general, the future was left uncertain. Thankfully, she recovered well and has gone on to have a healthy and happy childhood, with no tumour recurrences ever since.

Now, in between instrument practice and home-schooling, Maisie is also doing a lot of walking, as she has signed up to the 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge for Brain Tumour Research.

She said: “Since my diagnosis, my family has been passionate about raising awareness of brain tumours to highlight the lack of funding into research for this devastating disease. The launch of Brain Tumour Research could not have been as successful without my mum’s dedication to the cause.

“After all the amazing support from my family and friends over the years, it feels good to be taking on a challenge under my own steam, having overcome the disease myself. In just a couple of weeks I have raised more than £1000, which has far exceeded my expectations.

“Brain Tumour Research remains a charity really close to my heart. I am one of the lucky ones. There are so many children out there who do not get diagnosed early enough and whose symptoms are often missed.”

To donate, visit – www.facebook.com/donate/4156168001079368.