The family of six-year-old Marnie-Jae Grundy are navigating unimaginable grief after their vibrant little girl lost her courageous battle against a devastatingly rare and aggressive brain tumour.
Marnie, from Stoke-on-Trent, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in October 2023. This cruel form of paediatric cancer originates in the brainstem, making surgical removal impossible and leaving very few treatment options.
Her mother, Stacey, recounted the rapid and heartbreaking decline. "She was poorly for a couple of weeks," Stacey shared. "It started with her being sick, and then her face started to droop. We knew something was seriously wrong."
What followed was a parent's worst nightmare. Scans at Royal Stoke University Hospital revealed the inoperable tumour. Marnie's condition deteriorated swiftly. The tumour tragically robbed her of the ability to walk, talk, and eat independently.
After a brave fight, Marnie passed away peacefully at home on May 18th, surrounded by her loving family.
In the face of this immense tragedy, Marnie's family has shown remarkable strength. They have launched a fundraiser to give their "beautiful, sassy girl" the send-off she deserves. The community has rallied around them, with donations pouring in to support the heartbroken family during this darkest of times.
DIPG is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, with a profoundly poor prognosis. Marnie's story highlights the urgent need for further research and funding into childhood cancers.
