An 11-week-old baby girl from Lichfield has been diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive brain cancer, leaving her family heartbroken. Freya Charles was diagnosed with a grade four Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumour (AT/RT) in mid-June after a routine maternity session revealed her head was larger than usual.
Diagnosis and Initial Symptoms
Before the diagnosis, Freya had been showing subtle signs that went unnoticed, including displaced and cross-eyes, a vacant look, loss of smiling, and impacted hearing. Her family was initially told she had flat head syndrome, and the underlying condition was not detected until a medical professional noticed her head size during a routine appointment.
Emergency Surgery and Treatment
Within days of her diagnosis on June 19, Freya underwent a nine-hour brain surgery. Surgeons believe they removed 80 per cent of the tumour. In the span of just three weeks, the infant endured three surgeries: one to remove the tumour, another to drain fluid, and a third to insert a chemotherapy tube. She is currently on a primary treatment plan at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where she has remained since being admitted in June.
Potential Need for Treatment Abroad
Freya may eventually require aid from a medical treatment currently being trialled in the US and Canada. This has added financial strain on her parents, Adam and Lydia, who have been unable to work since her admission.
Community Support Through GoFundMe
Freya's aunt, Katie Charles, started a GoFundMe page to support the parents financially and to prepare for the potential costs of seeking treatment abroad. The campaign aims to ease the burden on the family during this difficult time.
