When Christopher was 12, after complaining of severe head pain, he was misdiagnosed with an ear infection and prescribed courses of antibiotics and olive oil.  It took his mum’s tenacity and conviction that something more was wrong, before Chris received the devastating news that he had a Grade 4 brain tumour. The next day, his 13^th birthday, surgeons removed a tumour the size of a golf ball from his head. Gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed, further battering his young body.

His estranged father committed suicide after learning about Chris’ condition.

For as long as he can remember, Chris has been mad about motor cross. His grandad used to accompany him around the country, enabling him to compete in events. But following Christopher’s illness, his grandad suffered a stroke and is still recovering.

Speaking to Chris’ mum is like witnessing an episode of Holby City, where one trauma quickly follows another. Christopher’s grandmother died suddenly from cancer, 4 years ago, and it is hard to imagine how his mother has managed to cope, let alone remain sane. It is their determination to keep fighting and their strong love for each other that has kept them going against all the curve balls that life has thrown.

Now, aged 15, Christopher is trying to get his life back on track. Although easily fatigued, he has returned to school after an 18 month absence. He has had some individual tutoring and hopes to complete his GCSE course in 2011, and achieve more than his predicted grades. Over the next year, he has to attend hospital every three months, for further scans.  

Although his school declined a presentation talk by The Teenage Cancer Trust, Christopher is passionate that people should be educated about this terrifying illness and he wants to help others learn more about symptoms and how to deal with the fear the word cancer can bring, especially to youngsters. 

He also desperately wants to be able to take up motor cross again.

Matt’s Canaan Trust was approached, in the hope that we could provide a small gesture of love to this courageous boy and his mum. A small decorating makeover in their house was received as if it was a lottery win. It is our prayer that Chris’ recovery will continue until he is cancer free and, under the banner of an undying maternal love, he will achieve his goals.