7-year-old girl diagnosed with brain tumor dies after exam at optician

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A seven-year-old ‘warrior’ who captured the hearts of the nation with her courageous battle with cancer has died – 14 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor following an optician’s checkup.

Adorable Edie Jackson, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, was just six when she and her mother Lois, 39, father Craig, 40, and older brother Charlie, 10, took suffered a devastating blow in November 2019.

She was diagnosed with high grade diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Cancerous tumor is the deadliest form of childhood cancer, with an average survival prognosis of only eight to 12 months.

Edie had 13 days of intense radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, but this guy almost always starts to grow again within a few months.

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The adorable Edie Jackson, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, has captured the hearts of the nation with her courageous battle with cancer. She is now tragically deceased

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Edie was only six when she and her mother Lois, 39, her father Craig, 40, and older brother Charlie, 10, received the devastating blow in November 2019.

Edie’s fate has captured the hearts of celebrities, including Made In Chelsea star Nicola Hughes and Amber Dowding, of TOWIE, who got involved in a fundraiser to send Edie to New York City last March for trials. expensive clinics.

But despite raising nearly £ 300,000 on GoFundMe and having Edie successfully undergo intense, targeted chemotherapy in the US, the girl lost her battle with cancer yesterday.

Edie’s aunt, Emmie Adams, broke the news on Edie’s Fight Facebook page this morning. She wrote: ‘It is with indescribable sadness and a deep sense of pride that we write to tell you that Edie, our warrior princess and the bravest girl we know, passed away yesterday surrounded by her loving family at 5:30 p.m.

“ We are sad because she is no longer with us, although our seven years of beautiful memories of her will always live on, but also proud of the life she led and of the legacy that she has left.

“ Edie has united the most amazing community around a cause you all hold so dear and we want to thank you all for the support and strength you have shown us – we couldn’t have done it without you .

“Edie is still seven years old. She will never be forgotten and leaves the biggest warrior princess shaped hole in all of our lives.

“ We will take some time to start processing this devastating news and take stock of arrangements for a celebration of his life in the coming days. Sorrow leaves a sorrow that no one can heal, love leaves a memory that no one can steal.

Craig previously shared how they booked Edie for an optician appointment in November 2019 when she started having double vision and her left eye started to turn inward, which caused him to led to develop strabismus.

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The proud family were initially against launching a fundraiser, but were overwhelmed by the response

From there, the optician referred the family to their GP and sent a letter asking Edie to be seen urgently by a specialist.

“We immediately felt very nervous seeing the word ‘urgent’ on the optician’s referral letter, so we booked a private appointment at Moorfields Eye Hospital for November 25,” Craig recalls.

“ From there we were sent the same day to Harlow Princess Alexandra Hospital for an MRI, the results of which were sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Within hours we were told Edie had a brain tumor.

“ After the scans were reviewed, we were transferred to GOSH and the worst possible news was confirmed – not only did Edie have a brain tumor, but it was an aggressive tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in a part of the brainstem called the pons.

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Edie’s aunt, Emmie Adams, broke the news of his death on Edie’s Fight Facebook page this morning

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The family are seeking to publish a petition for further funding and research from DIPG and will need 100,000 signatures for it to be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in parliament. Pictured: Edie with mom Lois and brother Charlie

“The bridge controls essential bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, swallowing, eye movements, sight and balance.

Since the bridge is located in the center of the brain, a surgeon could not access the tumor without damaging the surrounding parts of the brain. Even if the tumor were accessible, total removal would be impossible.

Edie started radiation therapy on December 2, while her parents set out to find specialists around the world who are working to find an effective treatment strategy for DIPG.

Craig said their daughter was an ‘absolute star’ and has remained very brave and strong throughout her ordeal.

The proud family were initially against launching a fundraiser, but were overwhelmed by the response.

“The harsh reality is that disease and illness don’t discriminate, and while we would trade everything we have to make Edie okay, we will need help,” Craig said at the time.

“We could never have been prepared for this. Lois’ work situation will have to change and that has changed her life. But the response and generosity we have received so far is impressive and we are very grateful for it.

Edie’s Fight Facebook page had gathered nearly 6,000 members – and dozens of people have already paid tribute to Edie.

Sally Holloway commented, “ RIP, brave beautiful Princess Edie. You were an inspiration and a fighter who will never be forgotten.

“ My heart and thoughts go out to Edie’s incredibly amazing, brave and strong family, who did everything in their power to help Edie try to fight this. ”

Lyn Long wrote: ‘One of the bravest little girls I know who fought the biggest fight. Sweet dreams, warrior princess.

And Lesley Reynolds said: ‘My heart goes out to all of you, thinking of all of you. RIP brave beautiful Edie, heaven won the most beautiful and courageous girl, sweet dreams.

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