Mae Brown, aged 10 from Saffron Walden, is working with her nana, Marilyn to make ‘Mae’s Angels’ – bespoke jewellery that can be attached to lanyards, keys and necklaces.
The angels have been flying off ‘online shelves’ and landing as far away as Australia, USA and Canada.
Mae returned to Cambridge University Hospitals with her mother, Bryna, to hand over a cheque for more than £2,000 to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and Brainbow, the Trust’s pioneering rehabilitation service for children with brain tumours. This money will help take forward some of the exciting research agenda for Brainbow.
Mae was diagnosed with a Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour, in September 2016 and Brainbow has played a big part in her treatment ever since an operation days later to remove it.
Treatment to target the remaining tumour included six weeks of radiotherapy with chemotherapy once a week, followed by eight cycles of chemotherapy.
Last October Mae was able to ring the bell on the Paediatric Day Unit that signified the end of her treatment and Brainbow continues to help with her rehabilitation, particularly with physiotherapy to treat impaired movement on the left side of her body. It is improving, but Mae has had to learn to write with her right hand.
As well as physiotherapy, Brainbow’s multi-disciplinary team provides speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology and education.
Mae and her family are delighted to be giving something back to Brainbow – a service made possible by a partnership of charities, Anna’s Hope, Camille’s Appeal, Tom’s Trust and, more recently, Joshua Tarrant Trust.
“With her determination and strength alongside the support of the amazing team behind her, Mae is making huge progress every day,” said her mother, Bryna.
“It was my mum’s idea for Mae’s Angels as her sister used to make them before she lost her battle with cancer.
“We are glad to be giving something back to the amazing team at the hospital and Brainbow through the proceeds of Mae’s Angels. Thank you to everyone that has purchased an angel and helped us support this amazing team.”
Dr Amos Burke, clinical lead for Brainbow, said: “The provision of rehabilitation from the point of diagnosis through treatment and follow up is now standard of care at Cambridge University Hospitals for children with brain tumours, enabling them to reach their full potential and all as a result of Brainbow.
“We are extremely grateful for this donation which will help other children and are delighted to see the progress Mae is making.
“Brainbow has been transformative in how we care for children with brain tumours at Cambridge University Hospitals and it is fundraising efforts like this that will mean it can continue this work for many years to come.”
If you would like to become involved with fundraising for Brainbow through Mae’s Angels, please contact marilyn.driscoll@btinternet.com or visit the Mae’s Angels Facebook page
Image: Mae shows off one of her ‘angels’ with her mum, Bryna