Family of Annalise Donelon struggling to come to terms with life-changing diagnosis after persistent headaches
The family of a university student is struggling to come to terms with a life-changing diagnosis after their daughter initially dismissed constant headaches as stress-related.
The family of a UK university student is struggling to come to terms with a life-changing diagnosis after their daughter initially dismissed constant headaches as stress-related.
Annalise Donelon, 20, has visited her GP on several occasions for help with persistent headaches while studying at Newcastle University.
The symptoms were initially believed to be a B12 deficiency, but when injections failed to bring any relief she was ordered to undergo a CT scan.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Her mum Lisa Donelon told The Mirror that the can confirmed the family’s worst fears — a 5cm brain tumour.
“I can’t even describe what that (call) feels like,” she said.
“Annie just wants her life back, she wants to go back to university — so we’re always looking for the next trial or treatment.
“There are just no words for what’s happening, you just feel numb — and then you feel angry, then you feel sad.”
The 20-year-old underwent a mammoth 11-hour surgery to remove the tumour late last year, but surgeons have been unable to confirm whether she’s in the clear.
The family has issued a public plea for donations so that they can pursue additional treatment to ensure it doesn’t return.
“We can’t just be sitting around — we need to be doing something,” Mrs Donelon said.
“Even though to look at her, you wouldn’t know there was anything wrong, we know how serious it is.”
Her mum said she had so far completed molecular profiling at a private clinic in London and had visited a French hospital that specialised in targeted molecular therapy.
Her next step is immunotherapy treatment in Germany.
A statement on the GoFundMe page, which has so far raised more than £29,000 of its £100,000 ($A189,000) target, says Annie’s family and friends are doing “everything they can to support her through this incredibly difficult time”.
“This fundraiser has been created to help give Annalise access to the best possible treatment options and to ease some of the financial pressure on her family, so their focus can remain entirely on her care and recovery,” it said.
“All funds raised will go directly towards Annalise’s treatment and related expenses. Any donation, no matter the size, or sharing this page, would mean a great deal to Annalise and her family.”
