Isobel was a happy, apparently fit and healthy two year-old. On 27th July 2003 she got out of bed in the morning and couldn’t stand up. On 29th July 2003, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Isobel had an inoperable PNET (Primitive Neuroectodermal tumour) in her thalamus. Because of her age, radiotherapy was not an option and chemotherapy was thought unlikely to succeed. Despite an operation to insert shunts to remove the pressure in her brain, she tragically died at home just three weeks after her first diagnosis.
Isobel’s parents Kate and Dave have joined the SDBTT to help fund research for others in the future. They have received tremendously dedicated and ongoing support from friends, family and work colleagues in their efforts, of particular note being the Chief Constable’s nominated charity for Surrey Police for two years. The support they have received has enabled them and others to embark on a variety of fundraising events, thus far raising over £90,000.
A specific research project has been nominated for this money. The project will help fund is led by Professor Richard Grundy at the University of Nottingham. His team aims to find out more about the underlying biology of sPNET brain tumours. Recent developments in technology have made it possible to analyse the whole human genetic code or genome of many samples in a single experiment. These techniques are extremely powerful as they allow researchers to perform experiments that would previously have taken years, in a matter of weeks. These new technologies will be used to generate the biological data that we desperately need to:
Diagnose sPNETs more accurately
Predict the behaviour of individual sPNETS
Find new targets for sPNETS therapy
Understanding the underlying causes of sPNETS
Already this project has produced some very exciting and important results. One of the researchers on the project, Suzanne Miller, was accepted to make an oral presentation at the International Society of Paediatric Neurology in Chicago at the end of June. This shows what a high class piece of research this is, as they have literally hundreds of applications, and only about 5% are chosen.
Issy was a happy, healthy, bright, fun–loving and mischievous little girl. Kate, Dave and their three sons, Daniel (9), Lewis (4) and Elliot (1) are striving to ensure that future families do not have to hear “there is no treatment available” in an era of such fantastic scientific advances elsewhere in the world of medicine. All those who have contributed to our fundraising in any way are helping to achieve this aim and for that the Kelley family are, and always will be, sincerely grateful.
SDBTT Isobel Kelley Fund now has its own Justgiving page. Please go to link www.justgiving.com/isobelkelleyfund/donate
So far the amount Isobel’s family have raised since the fund was set up is a fantastic £98,211.00! Help Dave to reach 100K by supporting his run at the Flora London Marathon; visit www.justgiving.com/davekelleyflm2009
INFORMATION ON LATEST FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Dave Kelley is running in the Flora London Marathon on 26th April 2009. He has set up a just-giving page and welcomes any support you can provide. Please click here to make a donation via Dave’s Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/davekelleyflm2009
The High Cross Amateur Theatrical Society are holding their annual pantomime from 22nd – 24th January 2009. The pantomime this year is Dick Whittington and they have generously nominated Issy’s fund to receive part of the proceeds of charity collections made at the performances. For tickets or more information see http://www.highcross.org.uk/
Lee Chamberlain has achieved his ambition to break the existing world record for walking on a treadmill for one week. He managed to walk 410.58 miles in the seven day period and is just waiting for confirmation from Guiness that he now holds the World Record. He has raised £5000 for the Isobel Kelley Fund.
Lee Chamberlain in Main Square Camberley
It is not too late to support Lee’s wonderful achievement. Please contact him via email for more information: LeeChamberlain2847@surrey.police.uk
You can also support Lee now by clicking here and making a donation via Justgiving: www.justgiving.com/leesrecordattempt
SDBTT Isobel Kelley Fund are proud recipients of the Fundraiser of the Year Shield for 2006/7. The Shield was presented to Dave Kelley by Trustee, Angela Dickson.