Lifesaving mother from Shrewsbury who Googled son's condition wants to raise brain tumour awareness
A mother who saved her son's life by Googling his symptoms says people need to be more aware of brain tumours.
Kian Jones was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012 when he was just 12 years old.
The tumour was discovered after his mother, Sabina, researched his symptoms on the internet and demanded a scan.
Kian was seen three times at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital before Mrs Jones, 33, suggested he may be suffering from a brain tumour.
Mrs Jones, of Shrewsbury, said that doctors told her that if Kian had gone another week without treatment he would not be alive today.
Explaining how her son had become ill and what had led her to believe he may be suffering from a brain tumour, she said: "Kian was an ordinary, happy 12-year-old boy when he started to have headaches. He was vomiting and also had problems with his vision.
"I realised something was badly wrong. At the time I was training to be a nurse and I wasn't happy with what the doctors and later the hospital were telling me. They said it was migraines or a stomach bug but I knew it was more than that.
"Kian's dad Dave and I went to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on three occasions but still we weren't getting anywhere. It was a month or so later that I Googled his symptoms and began to fear the worst: I could see that a lot of his problems matched those of patients who had brain tumours. Armed with this information I demanded that he have a scan.
She now wants people to support "Wear a Hat Day" on March 27, which aims to raise awareness of brain tumours and money to tackle the illness.
She said: "It is dreadful to think that some medical professionals are still not aware of the symptoms of brain tumours. We were told that had Kian's diagnosis come just a week later he would not be with us now.
"Early diagnosis is key to prevent others going through what we have endured. The physical pain you feel when your child is diagnosed with a brain tumour is like being kicked repeatedly in the stomach.
"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease.
"This is unacceptable. That's why we are supporting Brain Tumour Research and Wear A Hat Day."
Kian, now 14, has been given the "all clear" following his latest scans but must undergo tests every four months to ensure there is no recurrence of his tumour.
After months of gruelling chemotherapy and rehabilitation, he is now back at Belvidere Secondary School in Shrewsbury and preparing to choose his GCSE options.
In 2013, health bosses at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital refused to comment on Kian's case but they said they had invited the family to meet with the trust to discuss their concerns.
Now the mother and son, of Racecourse Avenue, Shrewsbury, together with dad Dave, 36, an assistant store manager at McDonald's in the town, and sisters Mya, 10, and Tia, seven, are hoping people will take part in Wear A Hat Day to help raise awareness.
Events will take place at local branches of national organisations such as Asda, Morrisons, RBS, Halifax and HSBC, where people will don beanies and boaters, top hats and trilbies, fascinators and fedoras, and make donations to Brain Tumour Research.
A whole host of events are being planned by individuals and groups within the various brands and offices.
In addition, bicycle retailers across the UK will be selling unique cycle helmet pin badges, and special pink car hats will be available from select car dealerships.
Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research said: "Wearing a hat for the day is a simple and fun way of raising awareness and money.
"It also sends a great message of hope, solidarity and support for patients like Kian and their families.
"We are striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres whilst challenging the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research.
"Help us fund the fight. Together we will find a cure."
The charity is urging people to get involved by wearing a hat and making a donation, buying specially designed pin badges or a limited edition brooch.
Full details and registration for a fundraising pack, as well as quizzes and competitions are available from www.wearahatday.org or on (01296) 733011.
A donation of £5 can be made by texting the word HAT to 70660.
