In August 2005 our 10 year old daughter, Claire, began to complain of headaches and then started being sick frequently. In September she was admitted to the local hospital and given a CT scan following which Tony and I were told that she had a brain tumour and needed urgent surgery. She was transferred to The Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford in the early hours of the morning. Claire recovered amazingly fast following her operation and we were able to come home after 10 days, whilst we waited for the results of the biopsy.
Tony and I went back to Oxford a week later to be given the devastating news that Claire had a Glioblastoma Multiforme tumour – one of the most malignant types of brain tumour with a life expectancy of no more than 12 months.
Claire then started weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, all of which she took in her stride. Her response was to charm every one she met with her wonderful smile. She was happiest when she was surrounded with pens, pencils and creative ‘stuff’ to make more of her works of art.
In March Claire was delighted to be given a wish by the charity, Make-A-Wish. Her choice was for Daddy to lose most of his study as it was turned into a fantastic art studio complete with every art supply a budding artist could desire. She spent many happy hours in the studio with friends and family, making full use of all the wonderful gifts that she had been given.
After Easter, Claire’s health began to deteriorate and we had to face the fact that the treatments had not slowed down the tumour as we had hoped it would. Even at this stage Claire was an inspiration to us all. She rarely complained about the effects of her illness and seemed bemused by all the attention that she was getting.
We had wonderful support from all the health professionals who had become part of our lives since September 2005, and everything possible was done to ensure that Claire’s quality of life was undiminished. She died peacefully at home in our arms on Thursday 20 th July 2006 .
Our wish now is for families in the future to hear their consultants say…
‘There is a treatment and the long term outlook is good’ rather than what we heard: ‘I’m sorry, there is very little we can do. Take her home and make the most of the time that you have left.’
Supporting SDBTT in Claire’s memory will help make this possible.
Many thanks -
Julie, Tony and Peter Rowland.
NEWS AND INFORMATION
Wonderful Fundraising.
So far we have raised £67,525.39 and we are so grateful to every one who has supported us as this money will make a big difference to other families battling with brain tumours. The money is being used to help fund the Samantha Dickson Brain Cancer Unit at UCL Cancer Institute.
Wellingborough School
In 2008 the children from Wellingborough School chose to support SDBTT in memory of Claire. We were delighted that SDBTT founders, Angela and Neil Dickson, were invited to visit the school to be presented with a cheque of £300.
We are thrilled that the School has again chosen SDBTT as their charity for 2010.
Waendel Walk
Friends, young and old, were able to join us for the 2007 Waendel Walk, Wellingborough and together raised a magnificent £1,933 for SDBTT.
Chris, Oliver, Joseph, Peter (Claire's brother), Sihab, Max and Ted after taking part in the Waendel Walk
“The Glitz and The Glamour”
The Ball was a wonderful success with 500 people attending and £20,000 being raised. The event, on November 17th, was just a week before what would have been Claire’s 13th birthday.
The Glitz and Glamour Ball 2008 was held on 15th November 2008 at Hangar One, Sywell and was even better than the first, with an amazing amount of £25,000 raised to support the work of SDBTT.
Wellingborough Carnival
In 2008, SDBTT Claire Rowland Fund was chosen as the Council’s Charity to benefit from this event. We are very grateful for their support.
London Marathon
Philip Greenfield, a colleague of Tony’s, ran in the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April to raise money for SDBTT. He was running in memory of Claire dressed as a pink pig!!! We are very pleased to announce that £1050.00 was raised by Philip which is a wonderful result. 