Campaign that highlights brain tumours in young is Lily’s legacy

Leighanne Easton, known to her loved ones as Lily, died in January 2014, just six months after doctors discovered she had a brain tumour.

The former Parkside Primary and Jedburgh Grammar School pupil spent her final months trying to raise awareness of brain tumours among young people.

Now charity Brain Tumour Action has released a series of videos highlighting symptoms of the condition, the fourth most common cancer among young people, in her memory.

Leighanne spent months going back and forward to the doctor with frequent, severe headaches which were initially thought to be migraines or a sinus problem.

The new campaign, called Bang on the Door, highlights the various symptoms of brain tumours and encourages young people to “Bang on the Door” of their local GP if they are not satisfied with the initial diagnosis.

Leighanne’s mum Gail Easton, said: “When Leighanne was diagnosed all she wanted to do was raise awareness and hopefully help others get a quicker diagnosis.

“With the assistance of Brain Tumour Action and the generosity of those that did fundraisers and those that donated we now have what our family and friends call Lily’s Legacy. Remember, if it feels wrong #BangOnTheDoor.”

Leighanne’s symptoms got worse and she began suffering from double-vision, chronic headaches and sickness.

Finally, in July 2013, she was sent to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where a scan revealed she had glioblastoma multiforme. Despite an operation, the growth spread and she was given just months to live.

Even with the devastating diagnosis, Leighanne remained positive and compiled a bucket list. Friends raised thousands of pounds to help her tick off the activities. Her top priority, however, was to raise awareness of brain tumours in people her age.

After Leighanne’s death, money left over from the bucket list fund and other fundraisers was donated to Brain Tumour Action to further her mission, and the Bang On The Door project is the result.

Six videos, five of which feature the true stories of young people, have now been released. The final video is a rap highlighting the symptoms people should be aware of, and the charity hopes that the different medium will attract a wider audience.

A spokeswoman for Brain Tumour Action said: “Made in association with Leighanne Easton’s family, the videos honour her wish that by creating greater awareness, delays in diagnosis and time to treatment could be reduced.”