From Mummy T:  Our beautiful Isla Smiler woke up in August 2017 unable to walk. After many traumatic and invasive treatments, surgery and radiotherapy, Isla was diagnosed as having glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma DIPG mutation – this meant there was no further treatment options for her and the tumour in her spine had left her paralysed from the chest down.

Simon, myself, our family and friends made the decision to make the most of our time together.  Given that Isla was not strong enough to travel far it was amazing what precious memories we made from a small makeshift bedroom downstairs in our front room.  

All the way through Isla was beautiful, her story of positivity and the amazing support she had has been documented on Facebook. 

As a family we will take it day by day. We are devastated and heart broken that Isla is no longer here with us and we miss her so much, but we face this together, united with the love and support of our family and friends. We will keep on raising awareness of Isla’s story and the devastation caused by childhood cancer, because that is what we do.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way and for your ongoing support and kindness. 

Our mission now is to raise money to support research into DIPG and we would be forever grateful for any support you can give.

This is Isla’s legacy and we hope you are proud to be part of it. 

About DIPG:   DIPG has a 0% survival rate, only 10% of children survive 2 years following their diagnosis and less than 1% survive for 5 years.  The average survival is 9 months from diagnosis, this needs to change and with your help maybe we can make a difference for other children in the future.

Fundraising for an Isla Smiler Researcher:   Since Isla’s death on the 10th July 2018 we have been contacted many times about fundraising in Isla’s name and have established the #islastones Foundation .

We have raised over  £73,000 in collaboration with Abbie’s Army to cover a two year researcher post & with your help we can do so much more to make the difference for children with childhood cancer.

By supporting  research you will be playing a major part in efforts to develop tailored treatments for children with DIPG and other childhood cancers , in the fastest possible time, with maximum benefit and minimum side-effects. 

A targeted treatment is also a ‘kinder’ treatment.

The islastones foundation will also provide grants to children and families affected by childhood cancer to provide short breaks, holidays and experiences to make the most precious memories.

Please join us to save a difference , make a donation, organise a fundraising event and support us today.

About #islastones:

In March 2017 we started to decorate stones as an activity for Isla to enjoy with her friends.  A friend brought some Sharpies and some stones around and we each decorated one and asked some friends to hide them nearby.  We asked them to post a photo for Isla so she could see where her stones had gone.  We set up the #islastones facebook page so we could see the stones.  Within weeks the group had grown beyond our expectations.  Isla absolutely loved seeing everyones smiles when they posted photos of what stones they had found.  During this time Isla’s pain became more controlled and she was bravely hoisted out of bed into a chair.  This new found freedom allowed Isla and her family to leave the house and make some even more special memories and allowed her to join in with #Islastones, which brought her lots of joy.  Every day Isla received beautiful gifts and stones from people who had joined the group and taken Isla into their hearts. Isla was interviewed on two occasions by the BBC, her dream was to become famous and with over 40,000 people at this point in her group she certainly felt it.  Her film can be viewed by clicking this link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-44793144

Since launching #islastones stones have been hidden all around the world, including the Taj Mahal; New Zealand, North Pole, Mexico and a very special wooden stone at the antarctic.