Haven House was our safe pair of hands, somewhere we could trust, they gave us reassurance and provided protection and guidance on an extremely difficult journey.

Scott and Yang Lau will take to the skies to mark three years since their daughter passed away while raising money for Haven House which cared for their family.  

The couple plan to skydive from 13,000ft – the hospice provided their daughter Kaleigh with vital care and support before she died aged 8, on June 12, 2018.   

Kaleigh was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in 2016, an inoperable paediatric brain tumour – a condition that affects around 40 children every year. At the time, she was expected to live for only nine months, but courageous Kaleigh survived more than two years.   

 

We supported Kaleigh during her illness through play, music and yoga therapy and at home with her clinical needs. The team has continued to support the family through their bereavement. She was adored by her family and all those who cared for her.   

Scott, 45, described: “Like most girls her age, our Kaleigh enjoyed being a princess, attending dance lessons, singing, swimming, and playing with her friends. She was a loving daughter and caring big sister to her younger brother Carson. 

“In April 2016, Kaleigh didn’t seem her usual self. She complained of double vision, and we noticed her left eye turning slightly inwards. Following consultation with her optician, a trip to Moorfield eye hospital, and a CT and MRI scan at Royal London general hospital, we were told a lump had been found in Kaleigh’s brain.

“We were transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, who confirmed the diagnosis that Kaleigh had developed DIPG. There was no known cure. The statistics were just something that you couldn’t imagine. That was when our world started to cave in.” 

For the next two months, Kaleigh completed 30 scheduled sessions of radiotherapy. At first, the radiotherapy was effective in shrinking the tumour and Kaleigh had a few months of life relatively symptom-free. However, the tumour soon grew back with far more aggression.   

 

After much research and consideration, the couple took Kaleigh to Monterrey, Mexico 12 months after diagnosis to be part of a pioneering treatment. It was far from a cure, but for an illness that has no cure, 

Scott said ‘it was a ray of hope’. The treatment was initially a success and helped delay the progression, but eventually the disease caught up with Kaleigh. 

Scott added: “Kaleigh fought this disease so courageously for over 26 months, and we are determined to honour her strength for every day that we live on this earth without her. Her legacy will live on in our fundraising. When we jump out of the plane on Saturday it will be the closest, we've been to Kaleigh since her passing.”

Haven House was our safe pair of hands, somewhere we could trust, they gave us reassurance and provided protection and guidance on an extremely difficult journey. We will be skydiving in honour of our beautiful daughter, the incredible people at Haven House, and the indispensable service they provide.

 

To support Scott and Yang please visit their fundraising page: www.havenhouse.org.uk/Fundraisers/scott-yangs-13000ft-charity-skydive-for-haven-house