Cameron Truesdale loses brave battle

Cameron who turned 13 in April, has been battling a highly aggressive brain tumour for the past 20-months,

Local Councillor Mark Baxter said: “It is just horrendous news. Cameron was a real fighter who battled to the end. Please keep the family in your prayers.”

Cameron’s battle inspired people across Northern Ireland and, indeed, across the world as a fundraising campaign was launched to help fund his treatment as part of a clinical trial in Mexico.

For a time it appeared the treatment was bearing fruit - with his mum Cassandra Finnegan describing it as a world breakthrough earlier this year. Click here.

Unfortunately over the following months his condition worsened until just a few weeks ago the family warned ‘his journey was near over’.

A family statement said this morning: “Wednesday evening a piece of our heart was taken and carried to heaven.

“Cameron passed away surrounded by his family.

“He fought with all his might for 20 months after we where given nine months. He did this with more courage and strength than we will ever know.”

His battle began in January 2017 when the youngster was diagnosed with an inoperable Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma also known as ‘DIPG’ which is the second most common type of primary, high grade brain tumour in children.