In a tragic turn of events, nine-year-old Freya Bevan passed away in her mother’s arms, following a long battle with a brain tumour. The family’s ordeal began seven years prior when Freya frequently vomited, initially thought to be a dairy intolerance. However, tests revealed a much graver diagnosis: a stage 4 PNET brain tumour.
Seven Years of Struggle Against an Aggressive Illness
Freya was just 20 months old when her mother, Katherine Bevan, first noticed her daughter’s persistent vomiting. Initial visits to the general practitioner did not yield answers, leading to months of tests and hospital stays. In 2014, the shocking diagnosis confirmed that 22-month-old Freya had a tumour the size of a golf ball and required immediate surgical intervention.
Katherine vividly recalls the moment the doctor delivered the devastating news: “Freya was sitting on my lap, and I thought, ‘How can this be happening?’ In that moment, I was terrified.” Following surgery, Freya underwent chemotherapy and later, in a desperate attempt to combat the cancer, Katherine raised over £100,000 to send her daughter to Oklahoma for proton beam therapy.
Despite the grueling treatments, Freya showed remarkable resilience. “In spite of her suffering, Freya was never without a smile,” Katherine says. “After the proton beam therapy, the cancer seemed to have all but disappeared.” The family enjoyed joyful moments, taking Freya on holidays and watching her thrive as she began nursery school.
A Devastating Recurrence and Final Farewell
By age seven, Freya appeared to be thriving, actively participating in school and enjoying life. However, in October 2020, routine scans revealed a recurrence of the tumour, which had doubled in size. Following further surgery and radiation treatment, the tumour unfortunately returned for a third time, leaving doctors unable to operate again.
“I refused to give up,” Katherine states. “I found alternative treatments from Germany and a personalized vaccine from Mexico. Freya took everything without complaint.” Despite Katherine’s relentless efforts, Freya’s condition deteriorated, and by December 2021, the family faced the unimaginable.
“All I could do was hold her in my arms as she took her last breath. I would have died for her there and then, but I couldn’t,” Katherine recalls, illustrating the profound pain of losing a child.
Brain tumours are among the deadliest forms of cancer, particularly affecting children and young adults. In the UK, around 420 children are diagnosed with brain tumours annually, with approximately 5,300 individuals losing their lives to this devastating disease each year, according to the NHS. Symptoms can include headaches, seizures, and changes in personality, highlighting the need for awareness and early diagnosis.
Katherine now channels her grief into helping others. In 2022, she qualified as a bereavement counsellor and established Freya’s Freedom of Mind Counselling Services. “My work has been borne out of unimaginable pain, but I know Freya is with me,” she explains. This new path allows her to support other grieving families, ensuring that Freya’s legacy lives on.
“Losing a child can be the loneliest place in the world,” Katherine adds. “I want to help others feel less alone. I know that my beautiful daughter didn’t die in vain. Her memory will always be alive within me.”
Katherine’s journey reflects the deep emotional scars left by childhood illness and the enduring strength of parental love. Through her work, she aims to provide solace to those navigating similar heartaches, ensuring that Freya’s spirit continues to inspire hope and resilience in the face of tragedy.
