Brain tumour survivor spearheads #HATTASTIC care home campaign

Dionne Ferguson, a former mental health nurse, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour leaving her unable to speak or move, has been taking part in a ‘Wear a Hat Day’ campaign to help raise money for brain tumour research.

The #HATTASTIC event took place at Badby Park care home in Daventry and saw residents and staff wearing a plethora of hats, whilst enjoying afternoon tea in support of the cause.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research goes on this devastating disease.

Ms Ferguson was diagnosed with the illness while working as a mental health nurse. Her treatment at Badby Park began in 2013. After four years of intense rehabilitation and therapy she can now speak and wiggle her arms and legs.

“When I worked as a nurse in mental health I used to say to patients, mental illness can happen to anyone, then it happened to me, I got a brain tumour.

“Without my daughter Amelia (16 at the time) I wouldn’t have got through it. She came to see me every day and I didn’t know she was there. The hospital wanted to turn the ventilator off because they thought I wasn’t going to survive.

“Amelia had top doctors telling her to say goodbye to me because they didn’t think I would make it through the night – and I did”.

Positive thinking has been a huge part of Ms Ferguson’s rehabilitation, and staff have been amazed at her progress.

Cashana Bull, wellbeing facilitator at Badby Park, said: “We are proud of Dionne’s progress – she has worked so hard during her rehabilitation and she is testament that you should never give up.”

The #HATTASTIC event at Badby Park has raised £109 for brain tumour research. If you would like to contribute, text HAT to 70660 to donate £5.