Taylan Andrew Rawlinson was our beautiful 7 year old boy who was sadly taken away from us on 19th August 2009.  He was diagnosed with a very rare incurable and inoperable brain tumour located in the brain stem called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) on 24th October 2008. 

When Taylan passed away our whole lives were turned upside down and they remain that way.  Our view on the world was- 'Our baby has gone so why should we care about anyone else?'.  That was until we realised that brain tumours are the biggest killer of children and those aged under 40 in the UK. 

The progress is very slow and just 14% survive beyond five years compared to 50% for all cancers.  It can affect anyone and are increasingly affecting the younger population.  There are very few treatment options available and nothing even close to a cure.  Research into brain tumours receives less than 1% of the national spend on cancer research in the UK.  Brain tumours cannot be prevented as their cause is unknown.  Therefore, families are being left shattered and torn over the loss of loved ones.  Whether these are children losing their mummys or daddys, or families losing their little ones. 

Sadly, we know this feeling only too well and it was so frustrating over the 10 months after Taylan was diagnosed that no one was able to give us any answers or provide that breakthrough we so desperately needed.  The price we had to pay was losing our beautiful and precious baby boy.  We will never go back to being a 'normal' family again as Taylan is no longer with us. We miss him so much and the pain will never go away - nor will he ever be forgotten. But we feel we cannot allow this to continue and if one day an answer or a cure is found, whilst it will be too late for us it may be just in time for another family.  We need to start somewhere.

So with the help of friends and family we founded Taylan's Project in January 2010.  We are now fundraising for www.braintumourresearch.org and our goal is to raise awareness and much needed funds to help find a cure for this devastating illness.  Brain Tumour Research are a dedicated team working towards cause, treatment and potential cure for brain tumours and their aim is to open centres of excellence around the country.  Please visit their website where you can access all you need to know and find out more information.

'Taylan's Project' has been set up in memory of Taylan and to give you information, ideas and ways in which you can help us raise money towards funding research into brain tumours.

Taylan was such a caring boy who always loved helping others.  Please help us so we can all start making a difference.

Thank you

The Rawlinsons