River's Recovery

Help Support River’s Fight Against Brain Cancer

At just 21 months old, River’s life changed forever. She began getting sick every morning for three weeks, but due to COVID restrictions, all medical advice was given over the phone, and we were repeatedly told it was a viral illness. Then, one day, River could no longer walk. We rushed her to A&E on September 21, 2021—and from that moment, we never left the hospital for the next seven months.

River was quickly diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor. On September 29, she underwent her first surgery to remove part of the tumor. During the operation, she suffered a stroke and fell into a coma for two weeks. Her vocal cords collapsed, requiring an emergency tracheostomy, which she still has today.

Despite two major brain surgeries, some of the tumor remains as it was too risky to remove completely. River then endured intensive chemotherapy, spending months in the hospital due to severe complications. This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.

Today, River faces many challenges. She can no longer walk, talk, or eat and is tube-fed. She has reduced hearing and vision on her left side, along with osteoporosis from chemotherapy and scoliosis caused by muscle weakness. When she was first diagnosed, we were given just a 30% survival rate—but River is a true fighter.

We are raising funds to support River’s ongoing care, therapy, and medical needs. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in her journey. Thank you for being a part of River’s fight.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.