Family’s tearful goodbye to brave Cameron
Teenager donates his tumours for research
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Northern Ireland who lost his fight with brain cancer has been laid to rest following an emotional thanksgiving ceremony.
Tragic Cameron Truesdale’s heartbroken mum, Cassie Finnegan, wept uncontrollably as his coffin was carried from Donaghcloney Elim Church yesterday afternoon before mourners made their way to Lurgan Cemetery for the burial of the Waringstown youngster.
Cameron was diagnosed with an aggresico
Left: Cameron Truesdale. Above: mother Cassie (centre) at the funeral and Cameron’s step-father David (left) and his father Hammy carry his coffin
sive and ultimately fatal brainstem cancer — Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) — in
January 2017. He died surrounded by family last Wednesday after a 20-month fight, which saw him make multiple trips to Mex-
in a desperate bid to beat the cancer. Mourners at yesterday’s ceremony were asked to wear hoodies and tracksuits or any other item of clothing that would best reflect Cameron.
It has emerged that Cameron’s tumours have been donated to be used for medical research in an attempt to find a cause and cure for DIPG.
Writing on the Cure4Cam Facebook page — which was set up in order to raise money to pay for pioneering treatment in Mexico after Cameron’s devastating
diagnosis, his family paid tribute to the selfless gesture.
The post said: “Firstly, Cameron did one more amazing thing. He donated his tumours to research.
“This meant we had to sacrifice a few hours from him but we pray that it will go on to give more hope for Dipg. Cameron always said he wanted to make sure other kids didn’t have to go through this all and have no options. He always was so thoughtful.”
It continued: “We would like
to say thank you for every message and kind word. Reading them all is a much needed distraction at this point.”
Cameron is survived by his parents, Hammy and Cassie, sisters Chloe, Courtney and Caitlin, and step-parents, David and Cheryl.
The family launched a desperate fundraising appeal after doctors here were unable to offer a cure for the tumour.
They managed to raise £300,000 for the 10 months of treatment.