A SIX-year-old girl died in her parents' arms while snuggling her puppies after a "mighty fight" against an incurable brain tumour. Little Mercy Cuthbertson was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) last year after suffering from dizzy spells . She passed away at home on May 19, being cradled by mum Lorraine and dad Paul and alongside bichon dogs Teddy and Coco Junior.
Lorraine, from Forest Hall, Tyne and Wear , told ChronicleLive : "It's the most awful situation you can find yourself in as a mum or dad. "But if we could have chosen how things would be, that's how." Mercy fell ill in 2023.
She suddenly stopped "racing" around the house, started getting increasingly dizzy and generally didn't want to play. The youngster was referred for tests by her GP, and her terrified parents, who both work for Northumbria Police, quickly learnt their daughter had a brain tumour . "My life stopped at that moment," Lorraine said.
Mercy started radiotherapy and within weeks, she had lost her vision and was largely unable to walk or talk. Thankfully, she was able to have an operation to relieve the pressure on her brain and take medication shipped from the US which improved her speech and balance for some time. With the help of the Sun on Sunday, more than £123,000 was also raised for further treatment as part of a clinical trial.
Any unused funds will be donated to charity. Remembering their "beautiful" little girl, Lorraine, who spent Mother's Day on a VIP Lumo train trip w.
