The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee girl with brain tumour lives her dream
Seven-year-old girl gets to teach thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation
A Dundee child living with a brain tumour has lived out her dream of becoming a teacher for a day.
Seven-year-old Leah MacDonald was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago.
Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she was able to achieve her dream of teaching in her very own school for a day.
The school teachers brought her some gifts, including a lanyard with a heart on to hold her “teacher’s ID” card.
Stephen MacDonald, Leah’s father, said: “She’s been through so much already, but even through 18 months of chemotherapy Leah still went to school every day.
“She loves being there and looks up to her teachers.
“Even when they said she seemed tired, she stayed until the end of the day. “She refused to give up.”
Just three months after an operation to reduce the tumour, it began to grow and the extensive chemotherapy led Leah to develop Type 1 diabetes.
Despite this, Leah still gets involved in school life as much as she can.
Mum Elaine said: “It’s brought us so much joy seeing Leah so happy.
“It’s one of those experiences she’ll never forget.
“Her wish has made her even more determined to be a teacher when she’s older, and made that dream all the more real for her.”
The family are also taking part in National Duvet Day on Sunday December 2.
The Make-A-Wish campaign encourages families to spend the day in their pyjamas instead of their Sunday best.
The initiative has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years, which is used by the charity to help youngsters achieve their dreams.
The money is being raised this year through the sale of a limited-edition range of pyjamas at the Original Factory Shop.
The idea has received support from former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan.
She said: “I’m really excited to support this campaign.
“Family time is so important to me and I hope families all over the country buy these PJs and snuggle up on the couch together this Christmas to help make life-changing wishes come true for critically ill children.”