brainstrust

MAIDENHEAD ADVERTISER

The family of a courageous teenager battling cancer are pledging to raise £40,000 for potentially life saving treatment in America.

Newlands Girls’ School pupil Jess Taylor, 13, a bright, sociable youngster had her life turned upside down last August when doctors diagnosed a bout of sickness as a brain tumour. A complex operation at the children’s cancer ward at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford failed to stop the malignant growth but a ray of light has now appeared on the horizon.

Jess’s mother, of Marlow Bottom, hopes the family can travel to America for specialist surgical treatment that could save her daughter’s life. “There is the technology in Boston, America, to remove malignant tumours,” said Karen, who left her job as a receptionist to care for her daughter full time. “The charity brainstrust told us about the operation but it comes at a cost. We would first need to raise about £40,000."

The life-altering operation will have to wait, however, because the shy teenager is currently inspiring a campaign to provide the internet for patients in the children’s ward where she was treated. Isolated and alone following courses of chemotherapy, the youngster was crying out for contact with the outside world and her friends.

Drained but determined, she has found the strength to rally family and friends to raise £25,000 for nine new flat screen TVs and internet facilities for lonely youngsters in isolation on the ward. “The fundraising support from everyone has been absolutely staggering and we thank everybody for their generosity,” said Karen.

If you would like to support Jess Taylor’s media rooms project please visit www.justgiving.com/jessicataylormediarooms2