Tumour-fight girl’s mum in charity mission
FAMILY GIVEN HOPE AS BRAVE YOUNGSTER UNDERGOES CHEMOTHERAPY
THE mother of a little girl battling an inoperable brain tumour is raising cash for a charity that has given her family hope.
Sonia Gallardo, who turned three this month, is in the midst of a gruelling 18-month course of chemotherapy for an inoperable brain tumour.
Her mum, Paola, will join thousands of fundraisers across the country completing 10,000 Steps a Day for 28 days next month to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
“Research is really important to us, as it meant that when Sonia got her diagnosis, she had treatment options and when there are options, there is hope,” she said. “I’ve signed up to this challenge, to raise awareness and support a cause really close to our hearts.”
Sonia, from Sale, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2019, following months of tests to try to find the cause of her unexplained weight loss.
Paola, 35, and Sonia’s dad Ivan Aparicio, 32, noticed their daughter was losing weight when she was nearly 18 months old.
After tests showed nothing wrong, Sonia was sent for an MRI scan revealed a large mass on her brain.
She says: “My husband Ivan and I were completely dumbfounded. I had started to think there was something seriously wrong with Sonia but I never suspected a brain tumour. We couldn’t believe it.”
Sonia’s biopsy revealed the tumour was a suprasellar low-grade glioma, near to the pituitary gland, which influences many processes including growth. Sonia’s tumour was inoperable, because of its location close to optic nerve. Paola said the family opted to have an 18-month period of chemotherapy. She added: “Being in hospital made Sonia very upset and angry and she cried a lot.”
Sonia spent much of October, November and December 2019 in hospital, as she contracted viruses and suffered high fevers at the beginning of her chemotherapy regime.
In December, Paola’s family visited from Mexico and by January last year Sonia was well enough to celebrate her third birthday at home with her relatives.
“Even though 2020 was a hugely challenging year for so many people, for us, it was really positive, as it marked significant improvement in Sonia’s health,” Paola says. “As her chemotherapy progressed, her mood improved. She gained weight and the tumour even started to shrink a little bit. In September she was well enough to start preschool, which was just fantastic after everything she has been through. She’s thriving and is very happy.” Sonia has 17 weeks of chemotherapy left and she continues to be monitored with MRI scans every three months.
Meanwhile, inspired by her daughter, Paola is taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research. She will be completing 10,000 Steps a Day for 28 days next month. Steps can be completed however and with whoever participants like - as long as they follow Covid-19 safety guidelines.
To join the Brain Tumour Research 10,000 steps a day in February visit the Facebook Group and set up a Facebook fundraiser. Set a target of £100 and when you receive your first donation, the charity will send you a free Brain Tumour Research t-shirt to wear while racking up your step count. To donate to Brain Tumour Research visit Paola’s Facebook fundraising page.
I’ve signed up to this challenge, to raise awareness and support a cause really close to our hearts
Paola Gallardo