Thomas Pearce was diagnosed after he began showing subtle symptoms
A nine-year-old boy passed away from a brain tumour after developing slurred speech and memory problems, even forgetting how to swim and that it was half-term. Thomas Pearce – who was described as “cheeky and full of life” – first displayed subtle warning signs in February 2024 when his mum, Louise, 45, observed that “he would take longer to explain things” and had a “slight tremor in his hand”.
However, it was only when he “started to forget things” that Louise “knew something was seriously wrong” and rushed Thomas to Poole Hospital in Dorset. A CT scan revealed a mass on the youngster’s brain and he was transferred to Southampton Hospital for further tests, where he was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma – a cancerous brain tumour – eight weeks later.
Thomas underwent six weeks of radiotherapy, followed by a course of chemotherapy. But on September 12, 2024, the family was left “devastated” to discover that the treatment had not worked and the cancer had spread extensively.
Thomas died at home surrounded by his family on November 16, 2024, just nine months after his diagnosis. In memory of their son, Louise and her husband, Gary, 44, will take part in the Brain Tumour Research New Forest Walk of Hope to raise awareness against childhood cancer, later this month.
Louise, a financial advisor from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: “Nothing prepares you for the grief, loss and total devastation. My son had so much more life to live.
“He loved sea turtles, knew every flag in the world, and made everyone laugh. Too many children and adults are dying – and we desperately need change.”
In February 2024, Louise noticed “tiny changes” in Thomas’s behaviour and contacted their GP. “Thomas’s speech became slow and laboured and he would take longer to explain things,” she explained.
“Then his teacher told us she’d noticed a slight tremor in his hand. She thought he was nervous because he was presenting to his class.
“But then he started to forget things, he even forgot it was half-term and developed double vision, and forgot how to swim during a lesson. I knew something was seriously wrong.”
Despite her concerns, the GP didn’t consider the symptoms urgent and advised Louise to wait for an appointment. However, worried about his condition, she took Thomas to Poole Hospital for a CT scan, which revealed a mass on his brain.
He was immediately transferred to Southampton Hospital for further tests, and eight weeks later, a biopsy confirmed it was a high-grade glioma. Thomas began six weeks of radiotherapy, followed by a course of chemotherapy.
But on September 12, the family received the devastating news that the cancer had spread extensively down Thomas’ spine and further into his brain stem.
Louise recalled: “At that point, doctors informed us that the treatment was no longer working and was being stopped. We were told Thomas only had a few weeks left to live. It was horrific.”
On November 13, nine-year-old Thomas tragically fell unconscious and passed away three days later at home, surrounded by his loved ones.
His mum, Louise, said: “Nothing prepares you for the grief, loss and total devastation. If Thomas had been diagnosed with another type of cancer, he might have had more hope.
“A brain tumour didn’t kill our son – the lack of funding and treatment did. Too many children and adults are dying, not because their cancer is incurable, but because it’s under-researched and underfunded.”
The Pearce family, including brothers Josh and Charlie, are participating in the charity’s Walk of Hope this month to raise crucial funds for Brain Tumour Research and increase awareness of the disease.
Letty Greenfield, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Thomas’s story is heartbreaking, and far too common. We stand with Louise and all the families who have lost loved ones far too soon. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we urge the public to support events like the Walk of Hope and help us push for the funding and research these children so desperately need.”
To back their Walk of Hope and contribute to raising vital funds for Brain Tumour Research, visit the couple’s JustGiving page.