LITTLE Rosie Hassall was “just a normal little girl” before she started complaining of a pain in her forehead late last year.
Initially her parents – Charlotte, 36, and Stefan, 37 – thought it was just a headache and gave the tot Calpol.
Rosie Hassall started getting headaches in November 2024[/caption]
Rosie with brother her Charlie[/caption]
The tot was given months to live after being diagnosed with a rare and inoperable brain tumour[/caption]
But they soon noticed her left eye appeared delayed and booked an optician’s and doctor’s appointment.
Neither found anything wrong, but Rosie’s head pains worsened to the point it was too painful for her to laugh, sneeze or even cry.
Rosie was eventually referred for an MRI, which revealed a tumour on her brain.
A biopsy in January 2025 confirmed Rosie had paediatric bithalamic glioma containing a rare genetic abnormality.
Doctors said that the tumour was aggressive but inoperable due to its location.
Rosie’s devastated parents were told that the average prognosis for her type of cancer is nine to 12 months – but the disease is so rare that doctors couldn’t be certain.
Mum Charlotte, an NHS worker, from Cheshire, said: “Rosie started complaining about pain in her forehead.
“At first, we thought it was just a headache, so we gave her Calpol, but the pain began to come more frequently.”
She recalled the moment they found out about Rosie’s diagnosis.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Charlotte said.
“After just one scan and no blood tests, I thought they must be wrong.
“As professional and kind as they were, the reality of the situation and what they were telling me were difficult to grasp.”
The family’s ordeal began in November 2024, when Rosie started complaining of pains in her head.
After an optician and doctors appointment found nothing wrong, Rosie became run down and was given antibiotics and diagnosed with an infection.
Rosie taking chemotherapy tablets[/caption]
Charlotte described Rosie as ‘full of attitude and life’[/caption]
The tot looks so well looks that sometimes her parents forget just how serious her condition is[/caption]
The family got a second opinion for her eye and a doctor confirmed she had a squint and referred them to ophthalmology at Leighton Hospital in Crewe – but they couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.
The family were referred to paediatrics following a trip to out-of-hours care.
Rosie went for an MRI and on December 22 the family had a call and were told Rosie’s brain was compressed and she had a 6m tumour.
She had a biopsy on December 27 to determine the type of tumour – and was diagnosed in the January.
Charlotte said: “I think, in that moment, I was still in denial. Apart from the pain, Rosie was just a normal little girl.
“When the pain wasn’t there, she was herself, full of attitude and life.”
‘Small victories’
On February 26, Rosie started radiotherapy alongside oral chemotherapy at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and had six weeks of it before starting IV chemotherapy.
She is now on her fifth cycle but a recent MRI scan, in June, showed the tumour was stable.
Charlotte said: “After everything she’d been through, I was deflated when they said the tumour hadn’t shrunk.
“However, stable was still a win, and she looked so much better.
Rosie’s hair loss from treatment[/caption]
Scans showed that her tumour is stable after multiple rounds of treatment[/caption]
Rosie has even been able to return to school[/caption]
“Her balance had improved, and her energy was back. You want more positive news, of course.
“You hope for a miracle. But I’m learning to celebrate the small victories.
“She’s still our little firecracker – determined, smiling and full of fight. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Rosie’s brother, Charlie, eight, was recently diagnosed with a chronic tic, which doctors believe is linked to the stress of being separated from his parents during Rosie’s hospital stays.
Rosie looks so well that sometimes we forget just how serious this is. But we’re still living one day at a time
Charlotte Hassall
Charlotte said: “It’s not just the child with cancer who’s affected, it’s the whole family.
“Charlie just wanted time with us, and thankfully we’ve had that this summer. Emotionally, it’s hard to explain what this journey is like.
“Some days, I feel strong. Other days, I’m barely holding it together.
“Rosie keeps us going because her positivity is infectious. She looks so well that sometimes we forget just how serious this is. But we’re still living one day at a time.”
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return.
Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision.
The nine most common symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Memory problems
- Change in personality
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP.
Source: NHS
The tot has now been able to return to school.
“We didn’t think Rosie would be able to attend her school sports day in July, but she did, and she smashed it,” Charlotte said.
“She’s now returning to school for short sessions and has started her fifth round of chemo.
“She still has tough days, but she’s determined to carry on doing what she loves. She amazes us every single day.”
‘Strength and courage’
The Hassall family are continuing to raise awareness of brain tumours during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, with support from Brain Tumour Research.
They have support from Siobhain McDonagh MP, who donated to the fundraiser.
Charlotte said: “It means a lot to know that people in Parliament are listening. This is about Rosie, but it’s also about making sure other families do not have to go through what we’re facing.
“Research into brain tumours is so underfunded compared with other cancers, and more needs to be done by Government to support families and invest in research if we’re ever going to find a cure.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Rosie’s strength and the courage of her family are extraordinary.
“Her story shows how devastating brain tumours are, striking children with their whole lives ahead of them. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded of the urgent need for more research to give families like Rosie’s real hope.
“No parent should have to hear there are no treatment options left.”
You can support the Hassell family’s fundraiser here.