Fundraiser launched for Limavady mum with inoperable brain tumor

A fundraising campaign has been launched for a young mum who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour earlier this year.

In March, 20 year-old Britnie Moore was diagnosed with Petrous Ridge Meningioma.

Due to the tumour's proximity to the spine, doctors delivered the heartbreaking news that surgery would be too risky as it could leave the Limavady woman paralysed.

Britnie, who is mum to a two year-old girl, is hoping to seek private care and a second opinion on her health.

As a result, her family and friends have launched a fundraising campaign in an effort to raise money to pay for Britnie's treatment.

Speaking to the County Derry Post, Britnie said: “I was told they couldn’t operate as the tumor is pressing on my spine. I was told I was to go on medication and they will monitor the tumor closely.

“It's scary having to watch and wait. I really just want it over and done with. It is such an awful feeling.”

The Limavady woman has been having seizures all her life however it was only in 2018 that she discovered she has Chiari malformations (CM), a condition doctors believe she has had from birth.

CM is caused by problems in the structure of the brain and skull. In Chiari malformations, the lower part of the brain presses on and through an opening in the base of the skull and cerebellum into the spinal canal.

“If that was known when I was younger then it might not have developed this far,” Britnie said.

Britnie believes that there could be another reason for the development of the brain tumour. “I am on the contraceptive injection Depo Provera and there is a lot of information out there that links the injection to brain tumours and a lot of other side effects,” she explained.

“I started the injection in July, and in March I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I have mentioned these concerns to my GP and the nurse that does my injection. The GP said they have no knowledge of the correlation between the two but my nurse said I wasn’t the first to think there is a link between the two.”

The young woman said it has been tough trying to get professionals to listen to what she is going through.

“I am constantly in agony and need my medication to keep me going. Recently my Amitriptyline which is used to control my pain was taken off me for no apparent reason. My family had to get together and stop them from taking it off me.”

Britnie also expressed her worry about the future of the NHS saying: “I don’t trust the NHS. I have personally said this to them. I have been in and out of hospital so many times. Recently with Viral Meningitis. My care just wasn’t up to standards.

The health system is crumbling. I’m at the point where I have to share my story and say something about it because I don’t want this happening to any other young person. It has been a nightmare what I have gone through.”

She continued: “It’s shocking that we have had to get to the stage where we have to fundraise ourselves to receive appropriate care and attention. It has been all hands on deck. I am so grateful to all my family and friends for fundraising and helping out.”

One of the fundraisers being organised for Britnie is a family fun day at Bob's Bar (The Blazin Saddle Saloon) in Magilligan on Sunday, July 28 from 1pm to 6pm.

The day promises to bring fun and entertainment for all the family. There will be craft stalls, BBQ, bouncy castles, Music by Brooks and Combs tribute act, a raffle, horses and lots more.

Laura McAlister is a close friend of Britnie, who has been helping to organise fundraisers.

“We are very busy getting everything organised for the fun day. You name it, we have it there on the
day,” said Laura.

“The community has been very kind in donating vouchers and giving up their time to be part of the event. We are very grateful to them for their generosity.”

Laura said they haven’t got a fundraising target in mind however they will be more than happy if they raise £500 on the day.

“If we raised that money it would be great. It would mean another few appointments would be secured for Britnie.”

Previously, Britnie's family and friends have completed other fundraisers for her, including a cycle from Limavady to Moville and they have climbed the Stairway to Heaven in Co. Fermanagh.

“Britnie’s mum and wee cousins who are only eleven years old climbed the mountain. They also did a colour run at the end,” continued Laura.

“We raised £300 from this which was great but that only covered one appointment for Britnie. We have had obstacles along the way. It hasn’t been easy so we need to keep fundraising.

“We are just going to go with the flow and see what happens. We can only hope and do our best. There will be a bucket at the door for donations on the fun day and people can give whatever they can.

“Hopefully all the hard work will be worth it and pay off when the fun day comes,” she added.