A FUNDRAISER has been launched for the family of five-year-old Freya Davis from Kidderminster who was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive brain cancer and is undergoing special therapy over Christmas.
Her parents Steph and Steve were told in September their daughter had Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumour (AT/RT) which ‘turned their world upside down’.
Just three days later she underwent a 12-hour operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to remove the tumour.
Since then she has completed her first five rounds of chemotherapy.
Freya’s treatment has been gruelling – her family have shared updates about the procedures she must endure, including what she calls ‘medicine in the head’ where methotrexate is injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid via a catheter to prevent the cancer spreading.
She has undergone this process awake, four times each cycle.
Her mum said witnessing it was ‘the most heartbreaking thing’ but they reached a milestone when she completed the final one.
The family also spent 86 days living in a Ronald McDonald House so both parents could stay at her bedside, something they described as ‘our saviour’.
As the Standard went to press, around £5,800 had been raised for the family to help them manage the extra costs of long hospital stays and the next phase of treatment.
Last week, they had to move 100 miles from home to Manchester, where Freya will spend six weeks undergoing proton beam therapy over Christmas alongside her ongoing chemotherapy.
Her parents said: “This is not what we had hoped our Christmas would look like but that staying together and doing what is best for Freya is all that matters.”
Steve and Steph have been reluctant to ask for help until now but – as they face such an uncertain future – family friend Rachel Mills organised the fundraiser as a safety net for the extra costs and challenges which come with weeks and months of hospital stays.
She said: “I know times are tough for everyone at the minute and with Christmas just around the corner, I respect that people may not have much to spare but any donation no matter how small or even just a simple share of the fundraising page will help ease the burden and make a huge difference to this family.
“It will mean they can both continue to focus on what matters the most – being by their daughter’s side whilst she endures the biggest fight of her life.
“Please show Steph, Steve, Oscar and Freya your love and support.”
Anyone who can help the family’s cause can visit: gofundme.com/f/freyas-atrt-journey for more information, to donate and the latest updates in the family’s story.
