THOUSANDS of pupils are to take cards home with them from schools across York next month, outlining the warning signs of brain tumours.

The move marks the second phase of a concerted campaign by three York mothers - whose children all fell ill with such tumours - to raise awareness of the condition.

Julia Holding, Marie Hughes and Emma Taylor recently gave a presentation to head teachers from primary and secondary schools across the city, asking for help in their bid to reduce the time it takes to diagnose the condition in children and young people.

The heads agreed to hand pupils cards publicising the tell-tale symptoms, which were produced for the HeadSmart: Be Brain Tumour Aware campaign run by The Brain Tumour Charity.

Caroline Hancy, head of Dunnington Primary School, which was attended by Marie's son Oscar until his death from a tumour earlier this year, said she was keen to support efforts to raise awareness amongst parents, as early diagnosis could make a difference.

She said: "We are all immensely proud of Oscar. He fought his illness with tremendous bravery and he brought us together, ever stronger as a school community, inspiring us with his courage and determination to help others, even whilst enduring intense treatment himself.

"Brain tumours are rare but ,as we know all too well, they do happen and the outcome can be devastating."

Eoin Rush, assistant director of children’s specialist services at City of York Council, which hosted the meeting of heads attended by the mothers, said the authority was pleased to support the campaign in the city.

She added: "We are working closely with Julia, Marie and Emma to help them raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours to parents in York.”

The Press reported earlier this month on the first phase of the mothers' campaign, a stall in St Helen's Square.

Julia's daughter Ruby, of South Bank, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of seven and the illness has left the Scarcroft Primary School pupil blind, while Emma's daughter Juliet, of Dringhouses, was treated successfully for a tumour in 2010 but now suffers from regular headaches.

Mrs Hughes said the stall had been very successful, with many people coming up to say they had read about the campaign in The Press.

 

Symptons that say it’s important to see your doctor

HEADSMART’S cards say symptoms include: (If your child has one of these, see your doctor. If two or more, ask for an “urgent referral”)

Under five-year-olds:
• Persistent/recurrent vomiting; balance/co-ordination/walking problems
• Abnormal eye movements lBehaviour change, particularly lethargy
• Fits or seizures (not with a fever) lAbnormal head position, head tilt or stiff neck

Five to elevens
• Persistent/recurrent headache
• Persistent/recurrent vomiting
• Balance/co-ordination/walking problems
• Abnormal eye movements
• Blurred or double vision
• Behaviour change
• Fits or seizures
• Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

Twelve to eighteens
• Persistent/recurrent headache
• Persistent/recurrent vomiting
• Balance/co-ordination/walking problems
• Abnormal eye movements
• Blurred or double vision
• Behaviour change
• Fits or seizures
• Delayed puberty, slow growth