Brave Beth could save more lives
Parents lead tumour fight
A bat t l i n g g i r l who fought brain tumours could inspire changes in the care system.
Beth Beattie, from Ayr, died aged four in November after neurofibromastosis led to large tumours on her brain.
Parents Eva and Roger are campaigning to raise awareness of the condition, and want sufferers to have regular MRI scans which could have detected Beth’s tumours earlier.
Doctors had given little Beth just weeks to live in April last year – but she stunned experts by fighting until November.
Mum Eva, 38, spoke about the “love, laughter and joy” the little girl brought to those she knew, and recalled her “good natured cheekiness, bravery and beauty”.
She said: “Nothing can explain the devastating pain of losing your best little buddy, your most loved baby.
“No words can express the feeling of bringing your beautiful daughter home in a box, in a bag from the funeral directors. “This should not be.” Eva and Roger watched as SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson spoke about Beth’s “long, brave battle” in a Holyrood debate.
He said: “Before her eventual diagnosis Beth was seen by numerous medical professionals who failed to identify it.
“I hope this debate promotes increased awareness amongst medical awareness and the public alike.
“However awareness alone is not enough to save a life, we must also call for regular MRI scans to be offered to those living with NF as that is the only thing that could have provided Beth with a greater chance of survival.”
Beth’s parents want a specialist centre for patients set up in Scotland, with the nearest facility in Manchester.
There is currently no cure for NF, a condition which causes tumours to grow along the nerves.
Symptoms of the disease include pale, coffeecoloured patches on the skin as well as soft, noncancerous bumps on or under the skin.
Public health minister Aileen Campbell said a national service could be set up in Glasgow.
She also said the NHS would “take on board” calls for frequent scans.
She added: “In honour of Beth, we must resolve as a Parliament to see where we can make improvements.”