A BRAVE mum-of-three whose life was turned upside down after a brain tumour diagnosis will take part in a national campaign this month to fund research into the cancer.
Natalie Dickenson, 40, from Cinnamon Brow said she was in complete ‘shock’ when what started as headaches materialised into the diagnosis of meningioma back in April 2022.
“I was in total shock when I found out I had a brain tumour but I’m just trying to stay positive,” she said.
But since then, Natalie has grown determined along with many others to boost the funding for research into brain tumours, with ‘little funding’ received from the government currently towards the cause.
She will join hundreds in taking part in Wear A Hat Day to fundraise for charity, Brain Tumour Research, on Friday, March 31.
The charity not only funds research at dedicated centres across the Uk but is also the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers.
After experiencing similar symptoms to a migraine, Natalie decided to visit her local opticians to see if her headaches were sight-related.
“I went to the optician but he said I was fine, but things got so bad that I went to accident and emergency at Warrington Hospital.
“After having a CT scan, they said they had detected something, and I would need to return on the Monday for an MRI scan.”
By the morning of the scan, Natalie was experiencing severe double vision and the result of the MRI revealed a brain tumour.
“I thought the medical team would remove it and I’d be able to get on with my life, but they were unable to because it’s wrapped around the nerves of my left eye and the pituitary gland.”
Natalie underwent six weeks of radiotherapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool.
“I lost a little bit of hair and I still get really tired, but hopefully the treatment stops the tumour in its tracks.”
Despite receiving treatment, Natalie still has severe double vision due to the location of the tumour and has to wear an eyepatch to aid her vision.
“I get a lot of hurtful comments about it, such as how I look like a pirate, so I get very insecure about that.
“I now have facial palsy, and I’m almost deaf in my left ear, with constant tinnitus which drives me mad, but I’ve just got to get on with it and be positive.”
Wear A Hat Day events have raised more than £2 million to raise awareness of brain tumours and help fund vital research.
The theme of this year’s Wear A Hat Day is to look super for science and individuals are invited to pop a hat on, make a donation and take a selfie to share on social media using the hashtag #WearAHatDay.
Natalie added: “There is so little government funding for research into brain tumours. I want to see progress in how this devastating disease can be treated, so hopefully the money I raise can help saved someone’s life and lead to a better future.”
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We’re really grateful to Natalie for taking part in Wear A Hat Day as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Natalie who are forced to fight this awful disease.
“People can get involved in Wear A Hat Day in so many fun and easy ways, the list really is endless.”
To take part as a community, school or workplace, visit braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/wear-a-hat-day.
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