Harpenden couple who lost three-year-old to tumour raise over £20k

George Rodd sadly died seven weeks after his diagnosis with a medulloblastoma brain tumour.

Parents, Michelle and James, have since raised more than £20,500 for Brain Tumour Research.

The three-year-old twin's tumour was discovered in April 2013, after two weeks of failed doctor’s appointments.

George – who had developed a head tilt and was suffering from vision and balance issues – was given a CT scan at Luton and Dunstable Hospital which gave him the all clear.

George Rodd sadly died after being diagnosed with medulloblastoma in April 2013. (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

However, that same week, George went for a standard eye test where a small amount of pressure was detected behind his eyes.

The same day he was taken to a private ophthalmologist who confirmed this and requested the hospital give George an MRI scan, in which a golf-ball seized tumour was found at the back of Georges' brain.

Sadly, it was found that the medulloblastoma was not contained and had spread down his entire spinal column and into his brain fluid.

Although the bulk of the tumour was removed and chemotherapy looked possible, the tumour was so aggressive it formed multiple tumours in his brain, making it "truly impossible to fight".

Michelle said: “Unfortunately we were left with no treatment options to save George and palliative care with our local children’s hospice Keech was all that was available.

James and Michelle ran the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, in George's name. (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

"We brought George home where he was made as comfortable as possible. He sadly passed away just three weeks later surrounded by all his loved ones.

“From George’s diagnosis to his passing was only seven weeks, so it was all very sudden and a lot as a family for us to comprehend and deal with.”

Last April, Michelle and James – also parents to George’s twin brother Austin, now aged 14, and 16-year-old brother Oscar – ran the TCS London Marathon for Brain Tumour Research to mark the 10th anniversary of George’s death, carrying his favourite cuddly toy “Mousey”.

The pair raised £20,516 in his memory and on Tuesday (February 27) were among a select group of supporters invited to the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), where research is focused on finding a cure for paediatric high-grade gliomas – the deadliest of all childhood cancers, according to Brain Tumour Research.

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Michelle and James toured the labs and spoke to scientists about their work to find a cure for the disease, before placing seven tiles on the Wall of Hope, honouring the fundraising which has been achieved in George’s name.

Michelle said: “I hope the money we’ve raised is life-changing. It won’t bring George back but I hope it makes a difference for families in the future."

James and Michelle at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, added: “We’re really grateful to James and Michelle for their fundraising in George’s memory and hope that the visit to our Centre of Excellence at ICR offered a useful insight into all we’re doing to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure."