Young Scottish cancer survivor braves the shave for three children’s cancer charities

14 year old Phoebe from Inverness is shaving her hair to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK and CLIC Sargent, and donates hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Now as a healthy, happy teenager, Phoebe wants to help the charities that helped her when she was sick.

Phoebe Macaskill was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, when she was just two years old.  She is fundraising for Neuroblastoma UK and CLIC Sargent, two charities that supported Phoebe and her family when she was ill. 

Phoebe was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2008, after she complained of a sore tummy and stopped eating. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, bone marrow and was in 95% of her bones. She was given a 20% chance of survival and the doctors thought there was little chance of a cure.

Phoebe needed eight rounds of chemotherapy, a nine hour surgery to remove the tumours, plus a stem cell transplant, high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  During her treatment, Phoebe’s immune system was severely compromised and complications from the high dose chemo left Phoebe in a critical life threatening condition. She became septic and ended up in intensive care on life support for 15 days.

But thankfully, Phoebe responded well to the rest of her treatment and in May 2009, the doctors confirmed that Phoebe was in remission.

Now as a healthy, happy teenager, Phoebe wants to help the charities that helped her when she was sick.

Phoebe was given a 20% chance of survival.

Phoebe said, “My mum and dad tell me that I had one year of gruelling treatment; I don’t remember a thing. My Uncle Darren, who sadly passed away from diabetes was planning on fundraising by doing a skydive. Before he passed away he also shaved his hair to raise money when I was in hospital. He inspired me to give back to those who are in need. I am planning, like my Uncle Darren, to shave all my hair off. Also I will donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust. I really want to go big and raise £5,000 as it would be an amazing help to both the charities. This means a lot to me as it is a big opportunity to help all the children and their families who are in the same position as my family and I were in. I hope this has a good impact on these children’s lives.”

Phoebe’s mum Rona said, “We are so proud of Phoebe for wanting to help two charities that are so close to our hearts.  It was a truly horrible time when Phoebe was ill and one I would never want to repeat.  Although awful, there were many amazing things that have come out of our experience. We have met many amazing people on our journey and the support and care we received was incredible. We’d never heard of neuroblastoma before Phoebe was diagnosed, so raising money and awareness in this way can help other families like ours in the future.”

Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK, with most under the age of five. Thanks to kind people like Phoebe raising much-needed money for Neuroblastoma UK, we can help scientists search for new, kinder and more effective treatments for children with neuroblastoma. As a charity, we receive no government funding so we are truly grateful to Phoebe and her family for their support.”

Donna Bednarek, Fundraising Engagement Manager from CLIC Sargent said: “It’s great to see Phoebe take on her head shave like this and support causes which clearly means so much to her. Last year CLIC Sargent supported over 600 children and young people facing cancer across Scotland, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without the amazing efforts of people and groups like Phoebe. We are truly grateful for her support and can’t wait to see her new look.”

To support Phoebe, visit her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chriS-acaskill1