Rosie Hassall, five, started complaining of a pain in her forehead in November 2024 and her parents thought it was just a headache and gave her Calpol
A young girl’s persistent headaches were diagnosed as a rare inoperable brain tumour. Five-year-old Rosie Hassall began experiencing pain in her forehead in November 2024, which her parents Charlotte, 36, and Stefan, 37, initially dismissed as a common headache and treated with Calpol.
However, when they noticed a delay in her left eye, they arranged for an optician’s examination, which found no issues, followed by a doctor’s appointment. It wasn’t until an MRI scan was conducted that a tumour was discovered on Rosie’s brain.
A biopsy in January 2025 confirmed the devastating news: Rosie had paediatric bithalamic glioma with a rare genetic abnormality – an aggressive tumour that couldn’t be operated on due to its location, giving her a prognosis of nine to 12 months. Despite this, after undergoing five rounds of chemotherapy, Rosie has made a remarkable return to school.
Charlotte, an NHS worker from Cheshire, said: “Rosie started complaining about pain in her forehead. At first, we thought it was just a headache, so we gave her Calpol, but the pain began to come more frequently.
“I couldn’t believe it. After just one scan and no blood tests, I thought they must be wrong. As professional and kind as they were, the reality of the situation and what they were telling me were difficult to grasp.
“We didn’t think Rosie would be able to attend her school sports day in July, but she did, and she smashed it. She’s now returning to school for short sessions and has started her fifth round of chemo.
“She still has tough days, but she’s determined to carry on doing what she loves. She amazes us every single day.”
After visits to an optician and doctors yielded no answers, Rosie began feeling unwell and was prescribed antibiotics for an infection. However, the family sought a second opinion regarding her eye, leading to a diagnosis of a squint and a referral to ophthalmology at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, where the cause remained elusive.
The family’s concerns escalated, resulting in a paediatric referral after seeking out-of-hours care. An MRI revealed that Rosie’s brain was compressed by a tumour. Following a biopsy on December 27, she received her diagnosis in January.
Charlotte said: “I think, in that moment, I was still in denial. Apart from the pain, Rosie was just a normal little girl. When the pain wasn’t there, she was herself, full of attitude and life.”
Rosie commenced radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy on February 26 at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, enduring six weeks before beginning further chemotherapy. Now in her fifth cycle, a recent MRI in June indicated that the tumour had not grown.
Charlotte said: “After everything she’d been through, I was deflated when they said the tumour hadn’t shrunk. However, stable was still a win, and she looked so much better.
“Her balance had improved and her energy was back. You want more positive news, of course. You hope for a miracle. But I’m learning to celebrate the small victories.
“She’s still our little firecracker – determined, smiling and full of fight. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Rosie’s brother, Charlie, eight, has been diagnosed with a chronic tic recently, which doctors reckon could be due to the stress of being away from his parents during Rosie’s time in hospital.
Charlotte said: “It’s not just the child with cancer who’s affected, it’s the whole family. Charlie just wanted time with us and thankfully we’ve had that this summer. Emotionally, it’s hard to explain what this journey is like.
“Some days, I feel strong. Other days, I’m barely holding it together.
“Rosie keeps us going because her positivity is infectious. She looks so well that sometimes we forget just how serious this is. But we’re still living one day at a time.”
Throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the Hassall family are dedicated to raising awareness about brain tumours, with support from Brain Tumour Research. They have also received backing from Siobhain McDonagh MP, who made a donation to their fundraising efforts.
Charlotte said: “It means a lot to know that people in Parliament are listening. This is about Rosie, but it’s also about making sure other families do not have to go through what we’re facing. Research into brain tumours is so underfunded compared with other cancers and more needs to be done by the Government to support families and invest in research if we’re ever going to find a cure.”
Ashley McWilliams, who works as a community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Rosie’s strength and the courage of her family are extraordinary. Her story shows how devastating brain tumours are, striking children with their whole lives ahead of them.
“During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded of the urgent need for more research to give families like Rosie’s real hope. No parent should have to hear there are no treatment options left.”
To lend a hand to the Hassell family’s fundraising efforts, you can visit their GoFundMe page.