Petersfield woman who survived brain tumour at 8 vows to help others

AFTER surviving a brain tumour at the age of eight, a woman has now become a charity ambassador vowing to help young people with their diagnoses.
Rosie Clare - (left) when she was first diagnosed at eight years old and her nowRosie Clare - (left) when she was first diagnosed at eight years old and her now
Rosie Clare - (left) when she was first diagnosed at eight years old and her now

In 2004, Rosie Clare from Petersfield was feeling fatigued and off balance, and had severe headaches and nausea.

These symptoms were diagnosed from a brain scan as a medulloblastoma, a high-grade and cancerous type of brain tumour.

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Rosie quickly underwent surgery at Southampton General Hospital, and was then placed in six weeks of intensive radiotherapy. She had chemotherapy for a year.

The 23-year-old suffered lasting problems with her memory, and hearing and cognitive functions.

Weekly art therapy sessions helped Rosie get through her treatment.

She said: ‘I’ve always been creative and arty.

‘Art is the biggest thing in my life and it really helped me get through what I did.

‘It played a huge role in my recovery.’

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With her art therapist, Rosie then used her skills to design a leaflet that aimed to help other children going through a similar experience which was distributed throughout oncology wards nationwide.

Ten years after her treatment, Rosie managed to earn a place at Bath Spa University, studying textile design and this year she has become a Young Ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Rosie said: ‘I really want to help raise awareness to help people through their journey and make a difference to their lives.

‘Having had a brain tumour affects your whole life and I’m excited about becoming a Young Ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity.’

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Sarah Lindsell, the chief executive of the charity, said: ‘Rosie’s determination to help others following her own brain tumour diagnosis is a real inspiration.

‘We’re immensely proud to have her on board as one of our Young Ambassadors, raising awareness of brain tumours and offering hope to some of those young people and their families whose lives are affected every year by the disease.’

The programme runs for two years for adults of 18 to 25, during which they attend information days, launches of reports, volunteer at events and help raise awareness about brain tumours.

For more information, please visit thebraintumourcharity.org

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