Young boy diagnosed with deadly rare brain tumour after parents noticed tilted head and wobbly walk

People are raising funds for a three-year-old boy who was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumour after his parents noticed he had developed a slight head tilt.

Archie Vaughan, 3, from Leeds, has been diagnosed with a type of brain tumour which affects young children and could require treatment which is not covered by the NHS

Described as “the most gorgeous, cheeky, confident and independent little toddler” Archie reportedly told his mum that he “wants to be proper again”.

What happened to Archie?

Archie’s parents, Hayley and Craig, contacted 111 in June this year after they noticed his head was tilting to one side and he was unsteady on his feet.

They then took him to Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield where doctors carried out tests, MRI scans and a biopsy.

Professionals originally told the family that Archie’s tumour was inoperable and that they could only offer palliative care.

On 1 July, a second opinion from Great Ormond Street Hospital meant the type of tumour could be identified as an Embryonal Tumor with Multilayered Rosettes (ETMR).

This meant there was some hope, as some forms of treatment could be tried although it was still thought to be an inoperable tumor.

Three-year-old Archie was then booked in to start chemotherapy, before his parents came across information about a specialist surgeon who had successfully removed the type of tumour Archie is suffering with.

The surgery, carried out by paediatric neurosurgeon Conor Mallucci, took place on 15 July, and according to an update on the fundraising page set up for Archie, the surgeon was able to remove around 95 per cent of the tumour.

Archie will still require treatment as he is at significant risk from relapse.

The treatment required to try and reduce the risk of relapse is not guaranteed to be available on the NHS.

The family may need to travel abroad and pay large sums to receive ‘Proton Beam Therapy’, which will mean monthly treatments for at least a year.

That’s why a major fundraising effort has been started by friends of Archie’s family, with £56,254 of a £100,000 target raised so far.

‘Time is of the essence’

A statement on the fundraising page says: ”Time is of the essence to raise the funds needed to cover Archie’s future life-saving treatment. Any gaps in treatment whilst the family try and get the funds together will mean he is unlikely to beat his fight against cancer as has more chance of a relapse.

“We are relying on the kindness and generosity of anyone reading this to donate and help Archie fight! We are so grateful for any fundraising events or donations you can make no matter how big or small.

“If Archie if fortunate enough to get what he needs here in the UK and on the NHS then the funds will be donated to brain tumour research, or alternatively gifted to help other families who need to self-fund, in the hope that more children have the chance of beating the odds and getting the treatment they need.”

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