Camille’s Appeal was founded in 2009 following the diagnosis of Camille with a brain tumour, when she was aged just two years old. Camille’s family and friends witnessed first-hand the incredible work provided by the National Health Service; however, they also became aware of some of the difficulties that patients, their families and NHS staff faced. Their experience inspired them to support the welfare of children in a similar position to Camille by creating the Camille’s Appeal charity.

 

Over a period of two years, Camille underwent extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments as well as numerous brain operations to combat the brain tumour; all of these standard treatments have affected her in varying ways over the short term and the after-effects of the tumour and the treatment are now continuing into the long term. Camille’s parents also came into contact with a large number of families who were going through the same experience and learnt about the problems that they too faced.

 

The treatment and subsequent effects of Camille and other children in a similar position have given the Trustees and fundraisers of Camille’s Appeal an invaluable insight into the need for rehabilitation provision to be included into the patient’s journey. One of the main lessons they have learnt is that the NHS has very dedicated competent people in the many disparate disciplines needed to deal with the range of rehabilitation issues that children like Camille face. However, the NHS does not currently have the structure or the funding to pull these resources together into a cohesive treatment regime.

 

On Tuesday 10th September 2013, Camille’s Appeal were proud to attend the launch of a pioneering rehabilitation service for children suffering with brain tumours (based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge), as a one of three major funders. This service is known as the 'Brainbow' unit and is a partnership between three independent charities - Anna's Hope, Camille's Appeal and Tom's Trust - working with Addenbrooke's Hospital.

 

The new facility is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and will offer children who have been through the harsh standard treatments for a brain tumour the chance of a normal life. The damage caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can be incredibly difficult to live with but with consistent psychological and physical rehabilitation, vast improvements should be achievable.

 

Camille’s Appeal has been involved in the project for well over a year to get this project off the ground and has now agreed funding for the first three years of operation. Camille’s Appeal co-founder Martin Shave says “everyone who has contributed to the charity should be incredibly proud of what their contribution has achieved; this service will make a huge difference to many children who have faced so many challenges in their short lives already”.

 

The Camille’s Appeal objectives are to assist children suffering with a brain tumour and their families get as close to a normal, fulfilled life as possible. The focus of Camille’s Appeal is to work closely with the NHS to ensure that each and every child is given the right amount of care to lower the risk of disability and to create and improve rehabilitation care across the United Kingdom, starting with the East of England. We are delighted that we have been able to work with the NHS and the other charities to create the Brainbow unit, which will pioneer the bringing together of many of the elements of rehabilitation that children such as Camille need. Our hope is that Brainbow will provide children who have had brain tumours with a much better quality of life than they would otherwise have had.