A 14-year-old boy has died from a brain tumour after doctors dismissed his headaches as "teenage migraines". Max Hall passed away on Saturday (August 8) after losing his battle with a high-grade glioma. He was diagnosed with the tumour in November last year.
The teenager had been suffering from persistent headaches for about a year, but his family claimed doctors just sent him home with painkillers. Max suffered a seizure six days after his 14th birthday and was rushed to hospital where he was placed on life support.
Family's campaign for research
Max, from Corby, Northamptonshire, was later diagnosed with the untreatable Stage 4 brain tumour. His mum, Jackie, has been campaigning for more research into brain tumours which has "remained so underfunded for so long".
She said previously: "Max had been suffering with headaches for over a year but staff at Kettering General Hospital assured me it was just teenage migraines. He was fit and healthy... The only thing he had leading up to this were frequent headaches that turned into migraines, which the hospital dismissed. They were there for over a year and we were just fobbed off with ibuprofen. They didn’t look into his eyes. They diagnosed him based on a conversation. I should have pushed for a head scan."
Tributes pour in
Tributes have since poured in for Max after his heartbroken parents announced his death at the weekend. They said in a statement: "There are no words big enough for the heartbreak we feel. No words that can possibly explain what it is like to lose our beautiful son, our boy, our everything. Max was loved so deeply, so fiercely and so completely. And that love will never end."
The family added: "Max will continue to be loved by every single person whose life he touched. By his family. His friends. His school. His incredible community. By every person who stood beside him, fought for him, prayed for him, supported him and believed in him. His name will be spoken. His story will be told. His beautiful smile will never be forgotten. We are so unbelievably proud of you, Max. Proud of the boy you were, proud of the strength you showed, proud of the courage you carried, and proud that we were lucky enough to call you our son."
Memorial events and school tribute
A tribute is due to be held from 6.30pm on Friday (August 14) at Abbey Field, Corby, where a candle will be lit and Max’s favourite music will be played. In its tribute, Weldon Village Academy, the school Max attended, said he "had a smile that could light up any room".
A statement from the school reads: "We are devastated to hear of the passing of Max Hall today. Max was one of our founding students and had a smile that could light up any room. Our thoughts are with Max’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We will be there to support students in September and to honour Max's legacy. It is times like these when communities come together; the WVA Family will never forget Max."
A Corby Town FC spokesman said: "The thoughts of everyone at Corby Town Football Club are with the family and friends of Max Hall who sadly took his last breath yesterday. Max was a fighter until the very end and your legacy will never be forgotten."
A Kettering and District Weetabix Youth Football League spokesman added: "The Weetabix Youth Football League is devastated to hear of the passing of football fan and former player, Max Hall. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Max’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him." To honour Max’s memory and his love of football, the League said it will ask all teams to hold a minute’s applause at the start of every game during the opening weekend of the new season.
Kettering General Hospital has been approached for comment.
