Family raises $1 million for pediatric cancer research

A family is grieving after their son, Errol McDowell, died from cancer at age 18. For six months, doctors dismissed his headaches and other symptoms as normal. Errol was active and healthy, enjoying sports and swimming. His parents, Rider and Victoria, became increasingly worried as Errol also experienced dizziness and nausea. Finally, Rider insisted on an MRI. It showed a golf ball-sized brain tumor called medulloblastoma. This diagnosis came just before Errol's 13th birthday. The family learned that pediatric cancers receive very little funding for research. Brain tumors are particularly deadly, killing more children than leukemia in the UK. Errol underwent multiple treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy. At one point, doctors believed he was cancer-free. However, the cancer returned after a year. The family sought treatment options across the United States, joining a clinical trial that seemed to work for a while, giving them another three years together. Sadly, the cancer returned with full force in 2018. Errol died at home surrounded by his family. Since then, Rider and Victoria have been passionate about raising awareness for childhood cancer. They set up a fundraising initiative called Canceragogo.com, aiming to collect donations for research. Rider emphasizes the importance of trusting parental instincts when it comes to health concerns. He encourages other parents to seek medical help if they are worried about their children's symptoms. The family aims to spread awareness about brain tumors and the need for more research funding.