BROMSGROVE’S Holiday Inn will host a charity concert on Friday, June 1, to raise funds for musician Kenny Thomas’ daughter Christina who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2017.
Kenny, who will be performing live, started his soul singing career in the 90s, achieving multi-platinum sales for his album ‘Voices.’ ‘A Night for Christina with Kenny Thomas’ is just one part of the larger effort to raise funds for the four year old.
Following a period of persistent tiredness and developing a limp in her right leg, Christina’s condition was originally overlooked by healthcare professionals as the tests underwent came back negative.
After more illness, Christina’s parents decided to take matters into their own hands.
Kenny recalls a trip to A&E in February 2017.
“I told them that I had no intention of leaving the hospital until they had examined her properly and carried out an MRI scan. This time they took us seriously and admitted her to the paediatric ward.”
Shortly afterwards, her diagnosis came through.
“Just from their facial expressions and body language we could tell that things were not good.
“Our happy little world was about to be changed forever.”
The tumour was labelled as inoperable immediately.
“They were fairly certain that this was a high grade glioma situated in the brain stem.
“It could not be operated on or removed and even a biopsy of it was not without its risks.”
Originally Kenny and his wife Francisca were told Christina had mere months, but after a seeking a second opinion, there was new hope.
“The good news is that its progression is slower and there has only been a small observable increase in its size from February.”
In the face of this news, Christina’s family remains positive and following a strict diet and supplement regimen, Christina is faring well at present.
“She even managed to make it into her first day of school in September.”
“The plan going forward is to raise enough funds to take her abroad to a hospital in Mexico where several children from the UK are currently being treated for brain tumours with very promising results so far.”
tha family have set 300,000 as their total fundraising target, which will include travel and accommodation in Mexico as well as the treatment itself.
Go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ and search for ‘Kenny Thomas’ for tickets or more information. Tickets are £25.74.
