Community unites to support Mason’s family during end-of-life treatment for devastating brain tumour

In 2010, Shelley and her husband, Kevin, received the heart-wrenching news that their young son, Mason, had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Since then, Mason’s journey has been filled with countless rounds of chemotherapy, numerous operations, and the challenging side effects of prolonged steroid use, including weight gain and swelling. Now, thirteen years later, the tumour has grown to a point where medical interventions are no longer possible. Mason is currently receiving end-of-life care, with doctors estimating that he may have only weeks or months left. For his family, the tumour feels like a ticking time bomb.

On April 17, 2023, construction work began on the family’s house to make it suitable for Mason’s complex needs. Originally scheduled to be completed within six weeks, the project has faced unanticipated delays. As a result, funding has run out, leaving the house in an unfinished state. The walls remain incomplete, the floor remains undone, the garden is in disarray, and the wet room is unusable.

Meanwhile, Shelley and her four younger children have been living upstairs, confined to three rooms, without a functioning kitchen. Their home has essentially become a construction site. Shelley and Kevin are constantly dividing their time between the hospice, where Mason is receiving care, and their unfinished house. They are committed to staying by Mason’s side, but the toll of being apart from the rest of the family is becoming unbearable.

Without sufficient funds to complete the necessary adaptations, Mason cannot return home. The family is in desperate need of assistance. The situation is taking a heavy toll on everyone involved, especially Mason’s younger siblings, who want their brother and mother back home. They deserve the opportunity to cherish the time they have left together and create precious family memories.

It is simply unacceptable for any family to be caught in such a heartbreaking predicament. However, there is hope on the horizon. A community effort is now underway to raise the necessary funds to finish the house adaptations. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference to this family’s future.

Shelley, Mason’s courageous mother, shared her thoughts on the matter, stating, “We can’t thank Lucy Howard enough for setting up this fundraiser. It’s not right that anyone should go through this. Our only wish is to bring our boy home, where he can be with his family who loves him deeply, for however much time he has left. We appreciate any help we can get.”

The power of community support cannot be underestimated, and it is in these challenging times that humanity’s true spirit shines. Let us join hands, open our hearts, and contribute to Mason’s cause. Together, we can provide the financial aid needed to bring Mason back home, where he belongs, and offer his family the love, support, and cherished moments they so desperately need during this difficult journey.

Please follow this link to donate