Wythall woman donning her running shoes for children's hospital (From Redditch Advertiser)

Wythall woman donning her running shoes for children's hospital

7:50am Friday 26th August 2011 in News

A WYTHALL woman whose young niece survived a major operation to remove a brain tumour is teaming up with her friend to take part in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run to raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Jenny Spencer, 34, was horrified when niece Lauren Price, now four, developed epilepsy and was diagnosed with a tumour in her left temporal lobe in May 2010. After a scan in December, specialists saw the tumour was growing and Lauren needed an operation sooner than expected. Following a battery of tests, Lauren from Yardley, underwent the six-hour operation in March and the tumour, which was affecting her development and behaviour, was found to be non-cancerous, although she faces further scans soon to make sure it has been entirely removed.

Now Mrs Spencer and friend Leanne Roath from Sheldon are training for the run on October 23 to say thanks to the children’s hospital, which is a centre of excellence for neuro-surgery.

Mum-of-two Mrs Spencer said: “It’s been an incredibly scary time and it’s really helped bring our family even closer together.

“I was there with my sister Sarah and her partner Richard when Lauren was taken down to theatre, all of us terrified. When she came back, she was absolutely transformed, her face was swollen up, you couldn’t see her eyes; her hair was shaved off and there were staples and a big scar on her skull.

“It was amazing how quickly she bounced back though. Within four days she was full of beans and back to her old mischievous self; being back home with her sister Chloe helped. Everyone then had to watch her like a hawk because she was so lively, they were worried she could fall and hit her head.”

Lauren’s walking is now normal, her speech is hugely improved and she is having help with her development and behaviour.

Mrs Spencer added: “We’re determined to raise as much money as possible for the Neurosurgery Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital because they’ve done such a great job for Lauren.” Visit justgiving.com/Jen-Lea-runforlauren or see bch.org.uk/greatbirminghamrun to take part in the run for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.