Belfast appeal for family of seven-year-old on brave fight after tumour diagnosis

The family of a young child who was diagnosed with a tumour at the age of four has opened up about her bravery as she continues to fight.

Lacie, from Belfast, was diagnosed with a brain tumour on December 17, 2021. By time they found the tumour, it was a life or death situation, so Lacie went for emergency surgery, and her family's "world broke into a million pieces".

The brave seven-year-old was left with life changing disabilities, and she went from being an independent child, who loved dancing, the outdoors, and her school friends, to being in a wheelchair and tube fed.

READ MORE: Tributes to NI woman who died age 36 after skin cancer diagnosis

She had visual impairments in both eyes, facial paralysis and was unable to hold and co-ordinate her movements due to severe ataxia.

Speaking about her baby girl, Lacie's mum Melissa said: "Lacie also lost her ability to speak.

"Lace was a typical 4-year-old girl. She loved Elsa, loved dancing and playing with her siblings and she loved the outdoors. She attended school like every other little girl or boy and loved her class mates. She made friendships wherever she went as she was just a sassy little madam with an infectious laugh.

"A scan after surgery later revealed that the massive tumour they initially cut out was hiding another one underneath. All these growths would be monitored with MRI scans every three months."

Lacie stayed in hospital for eight months after her surgery, undergoing intense rehabilitation. The youngster had to learn everything from scratch - how to eat, how to talk and physio pushed her to regain what she could physically.

She was discharged from hospital August 19. 2022 and Lacie continued her rehabilitation. The family say they were getting back to normality with Lacie's new needs when in July 2023 they received the devastating news that her tumours had grown and they couldn't be left any longer.

"Our baby girl was about to enter chemotherapy," Melissa added.

"We are still going through chemo with Lacie and she has not had it easy. Shes been hospitalised regularly, had emergency surgery to fix a port that had started to leak. The chemo has made her ataxia worse & sent her right back to square on

"Lacie is now needing round the clock care and we have had to leave work as we don't know whats happening from one day to the next. She has lost so many days to being in hospital, Christmas away from her family, birthdays, waking up in a hospital. She has been fighting for nearly three years now."

A spokesperson for TeamDot, a family-run charity, has set up a fundraiser to help ease the pressure of finances, for Lacie's family during this difficult time.

They said: "Our darling Lacie is beautiful.

"But don't be fooled - from the moment we've met her she has showed us her sassy side. She loves colouring in, playdoh , slime & unicorns. All she wants more than anything is to have a ‘normal’ childhood with her brothers and sister.

"We hope with the help from you that we can help Lacie's mummy and daddy with the day-to-day expenses that come from having a child with complex needs.

"Sometimes daily hospital visits up and down for maybe three-four weeks. Electricity, gas, food and petrol - all the things that still have to be paid for regardless of circumstances.

"You’ve helped us before so lets do it all again. This ones got the courage of a tiger. #roar"

Please click this link to donate to little Lacie's fundraiser.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.