Overview

• Tay Kurtul, 6, from Leicestershire died on February 9, 2024 after his medulloblastoma progressed despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• His early signs included blurry vision, tiredness, tummy aches and emotional changes, with an optician visit initially finding no problem before GP-ordered scans revealed a brain mass.
• Surgeons removed about 99% of the tumour in a seven-hour operation, after which Tay developed posterior fossa syndrome that left him unable to sit, walk, eat or speak.
• His parents stopped chemotherapy after Christmas 2023, saying the treatment’s toxicity was severely harming him as the cancer advanced.
• A 177-mile walking challenge led by family friend Patrick Howlett raised about £4,000 for Tay’s Tribe under Brain Tumour Research, as the family highlights that medulloblastoma’s symptoms are often non-specific and about 52 UK children are diagnosed each year.