Clayton-le-Moors teen fights back against brain tumour (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Clayton-le-Moors teen fights back against brain tumour
11:00am Thursday 25th August 2011 in News
GRATEFUL Student Jemma Anthony
A TEENAGER is hoping to raise awareness of a rare condition after her life was saved by her optician.
Jemma Anthony, 19, is now enrolled in Blackburn College and hoping to become a social worker.
But two years ago she came within days of losing her life due to the development of a tumour in the centre of her brain.
The former Norden High pupil had been suffering from intense migraines for months wich left her unable to move for days due to the pain.
Her condition - oligoastrocytoma - remained undiagnosed for months though doctors were investigating.
It was not until her sight deteriorated badly and she lost movement on the left side of her body, that an optician located the true cause of her problem.
Jemma, who was living in Cambridge with her mother when the tumour was discovered, was immediately scheduled to have a seven hour operation to remove it.
She then needed five further operations and intensive physiotherapy to become well. Her surgeon told her that if the tumour had been missed for just one more week, she would almost certainly have died.
The Clayton-le-Moors teenager has now organised a fundraising event which she hopes will encourage more people to recognise the signs.
She said: “It brought home to me how serious brain tumours are and how easily missed even by experts.
“They came up with many different explanations - eye strain, exam stress - everything but a tumour.
“Since then I have been doing everything I can to raise money and awareness. The event I am organising is in aid of Brain Tumour UK which is a charity very close to my heart after all I have been through”.
Jemma’s mystery illness meant weeks off school and caused her to leave school without any GCSEs. However she has now enrolled in Blackburn College after sitting entry tests and hopes to study sociology at university.
She said: “I am really grateful that I was so lucky and I want to play a part in helping others spot the signs too.”
The evening for Brain Tumour UK will include live entertainment, an auction and raffle at the Fort Arms, Clayton-le-Moors on Saturday September 17. To support Jemma and donate auction prizes, please contact 07592 374903.
