PATIENTS PRAISE EASTENDERS FOR BRAIN TUMOUR SCENES

Viewers of the soap watched as Lola – played by actress Danielle Harold – was given the devastating news that her tumour was a glioblastoma (GBM).

Brain Tumour Research has been proud to work alongside EastEnders with Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure the storyline is portrayed as realistically and sensitively as possible.

Our supporters Yasmin Stannard and Khuram Liaquat were invited to meet Danielle and a team of producers, researchers and scriptwriters during the early stages of the storyline’s development to share their daughter Amani’s story.

Amani bravely fought her GBM diagnosis for 22 months, fundraising and campaigning for Brain Tumour Research throughout. Tragically, she died in February 2022, at the age of just 23.

Yasmin said: “We arrived at the BBC studios in Elstree with a mixture of emotions. It was exciting to be given the opportunity but we knew we were only in that position due to the loss of our beloved daughter.

“We also knew how much Amani would have enjoyed the experience had she still been with us. She would have been so excited by the opportunity to raise awareness about brain cancer to a wider audience. It is bitter-sweet for us to be involved and watch the episodes without her by our side, but despite it all, we felt privileged to be even a small part of such an important storyline.”

The story has struck a chord with many people affected by the disease and, during an interview on The One Show, Danielle said it “means a lot” to be trusted after hearing messages from patients praising the soap.

Kylie Weatherby was pregnant with twins when she was diagnosed with a GBM in June 2021 and says she is “extremely grateful” to the BBC for raising awareness of the disease.

“I actually messaged Danielle on Instagram after to say thank you for playing this part and for helping to raise awareness. I think she’s doing amazing,” said Kylie.

The sentiment was echoed by Laura Mahon who was 20 weeks pregnant when she received her diagnosis. She said:

“Being told at 29 years old that you have inoperable stage 4 brain cancer and you have just two years to live is something you can never prepare yourself for.

“Danielle plays the role so well, it’s scarily accurate. It’s so important to raise awareness because people don’t understand how quickly brain tumours change people’s lives.”