It is expected that each of us will one day confront adversity, that we will be called to fight for our health or well-being, that we will be forced out of necessity to grow and rise to a challenge before thought unsurmountable.  But, we never expect that this fact of life should happen before a child has mastered milestones like walking and talking.  It is in this instance that the rest of us need to step up to the plate and fight on behalf of children.  And it is now that I am asking you to help children like my daughter, Matilda, fight for their lives.

On the day she turned fifteen months, Matilda underwent a 12 hr+ surgery to remove a tumor rooted on her brainstem.  When the surgeon told us that nearly all of the tumor was successfully removed, we felt a weight lifted from our souls.  Our plans to move to London could resume, our lives could go on as before - this was just a frightening bump in the scheme of us.  We were unaware of the complexity of it all, unaware that the pathology slides would reveal a high-grade tumor infamous for its recurrence.  Little did we know that the fight had only just begun, and that the medical world had little knowledge of how to win that fight.  This is why we are asking for your help.

Its been frustrating to find out that so little is known about how to successfully treat and fight Matilda's cancer.  There simply needs to be more research, and subsequently, more money to coordinate research.  Like many other families touched by this tragic disease, we are facing a lifetime battle.  Simply put, the more funding and research, the better Matilda's chances are for survival and quality of life.  Every dollar will make a real difference in her future and the future of children like her.  So please consider helping all children with brain tumors to live the life that they most certainly deserve.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!