Mum helping fight against brain tumours
A “brave” woman who was given just months to live has overcome all the odds to survive for six more years.
Rosie Croft was on maternity leave after having her daughter Imogen when her optician referred her to the hospital. The 36-year-old neuro physiotherapist had been suffering from migraines and vision problems.
That was when she received the devastating news that a grade three astrocytoma was the reason she had been feeling unwell. Initially given a shocking prognosis of six months, Rosie was left fearing she would not be around to see her daughter grow up.
Mary White, Rosie’s long-time friend, told how “throughout her maternity leave she had lots of migraines and felt poorly often. The pressure of the tumour also affected her vision and from then I think she could tell that something was wrong”.
The two women met as students at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2004, where they were both studying physiotherapy. Despite Mary returning home to Bath and Rosie staying in Scotland, they have remained best friends ever since.
A second opinion at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow led to a team of surgeons removing part of Rosie’s tumour during a sixhour operation. She then endured a year of gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy and the tumour remained stable for six years.
This bought her some more time to make precious memories with her baby daughter, family and friends.
Unfortunately, a scan in 2021 showed the tumour had started to grow again and after further chemotherapy, it has been agreed with her oncology team that further active treatment is sadly not possible.
Inspired by her friend’s courage, Mary took part in Brain Tumour Research’s Walk of Hope last Sunday, September 25, with her husband, Adam and their three children Alana, six, Felix, four, and Louis, two.
Mary said: “Rosie’s managed everything so bravely, fatigue and headaches have been a big hurdle, but for the past few years the tumour has been stable, it was part of her life and part of our friendship.
“It has been something that she is living with and as a result, prioritised time with her daughter and wider family.
“Now it’s growing I felt the need to do something more proactive to support her and other people living with their own diagnosis.”
The family has raised more than £850 for Brain Tumour Research which aims to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
“Unfortunately, due to the distance between us we won’t be together for the walk but we’ll video call Rosie whilst walking and I know she’ll be cheering us on,” added Mary.
One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
Yet, historically just one per cent of national spending on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours.
Mel Tiley, the community and development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We thank Rosie and Mary for sharing their story. Their friendship demonstrates the power of communities coming together to find a cure for this devastating disease.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research in the UK. It also campaigns to encourage the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours to speed up new treatments and, ultimately, find a cure.
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Mary’s Walk of Hope fundraising event got to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marywhite6.