Downpatrick woman battling brain tumour support cancer event

Downpatrick woman battling brain tumour support cancer event

16 January 2019

A DOWNPATRICK woman is calling on women across Northern Ireland to take part in the Cancer Fund for Children’s ‘Let’s Go Girls’ fund-raising event.

The Cancer Fund for Children provided Julie Tumelty with a lifeline when she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Julie Tumelty was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with the tumour.

Now 22, she has no sight out of the left side of either eye and she had to have chemotherapy for two years.

“As my tumour is inoperable it is still here today and always will be,” she says. “However it hasn’t grown over the last seven years and I attend scans every other year to keep an eye on it.”

Julie is extremely grateful for the support she received from the cancer charity. 

“Cancer Fund for Children were an amazing support to me throughout my treatment and I enjoyed numerous stays at their residential centre for young people living with cancer,” she remarked.

“I met other young people in a similar situation which made me feel less on my own. I felt part of a big family. We were all going through our cancer journey together.

“I have met some incredible people and love and value the lifelong friendships I have made.  Having someone to truly empathise with was very comforting, and having someone understand exactly how I felt made such a difference.” 

Julie, who was one of the volunteers to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of the charity in 2018, credits the Cancer Fund for Children for helping to rebuild her self-confidence following her diagnosis.

She is urging local women to come together with their favourite ladies to host an event to raise vital funds.

From organising a night in with the girls, to a networking event with colleagues, or a cocktail party or tea party with friends and family, anything goes. 

Speaking about her reason for taking part in Let’s Go Girls, Julie added: “Cancer Fund for Children’s support made me believe I could do anything if I put my mind to it. However, the biggest difference they made for me wasn’t all those years ago but right now today. I am a Young Ambassador for the charity and volunteer at their therapeutic short break centre Daisy Lodge in Newcastle. 

“I am taking part in ‘Let’s Go Girls’ because I want to give back to this wonderful charity that has made such a difference to my life.

“Why not arrange a special event to get all your girlfriends together to raise funds for this worthwhile cause which benefits a huge number of families across Northern Ireland?  Your support could help someone’s brother, sister, mum or dad get through an extremely tough time in their lives.” 

Alex Murdock, the Cancer Fund for Children’s Events and Campaigns Officer, said: “Every year we support over 500 families where a child or parent has been diagnosed with cancer.

We connect and empower families, giving them the strength they need to face whatever the future may hold. We simply could not provide our services without you wonder women and our local community by our side.

If Shania Twain singing ‘Let’s go girls’ doesn’t flip some internal switch in you, you’re lying. It’s time to raise your voice, have a little fun, do things in style and make a difference.”

 Money raised will help young people like Julie affected by cancer benefit from the Cancer Fund for Children’s range of practical, emotional and financial support, as well as free therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle.

• For more information or to download a free fundraising pack go to www.cancerfundforchildren.com.