Colchester toddler, 1, who died after fight with rare cancer inspires new research

Isobel Parmenter was just 19 months old when she was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Image: Public)

FUNDRAISING in memory of a Colchester toddler has helped fund vital new research into the rare form of cancer she tragically died from.

Isobel Parmenter was just 19 months old when she was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which affects around just 50 children in the UK each year.

Despite undergoing three courses of chemotherapy, Isobel sadly died just over two months later.

Gazette: Loved – Isobel Parmenter

Loved – Isobel Parmenter (Image: Public)

Her mum, Suzanne, said: “Isobel was the most beautiful little girl, with the biggest brown eyes, a smile which lit up the room and the most infectious giggle.

“She gave the best hugs, the most slobbery of kisses and had a wicked sense of humour.

“Isobel loved nothing more than having cuddles with us, her mummy and daddy, and snuggling up with her favourite ‘blanky’.

“Isobel was diagnosed with LCH in August 2014, and on October 5, we made the worst decision any parent has to make and agreed to take Isobel off the ventilator.

“She passed away in her mummy’s arms holding her daddy’s hand, only 22 months old, after putting up a lengthy, brave and courageous fight for life.”

Gazette: Family – Isobel Parmenter and mum Suzanne

Family – Isobel Parmenter and mum Suzanne (Image: Public)

Suzanne and Isobel’s dad Michael set up the Isobel Parmenter Memorial Fund, a Special Named Fund at Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, to keep her memory alive and raise money for much-needed research into LCH.

Suzanne said: “After we lost Isobel, we felt utterly useless – we felt we’d let her down as maybe we didn’t fight hard enough or push the medical teams for more answers.

“We set up the Isobel Parmenter Memorial Fund to fund research as a way to channel our grief into something positive.”

Alongside other Special Named Funds, Isobel’s fund has raised more than £46,000 since it was set up.

Gazette: Progress – Professor Matthew Collin, who will be leading the new research at Newcastle University

Progress – Professor Matthew Collin, who will be leading the new research at Newcastle University (Image: N/A)

It has helped fund vital new research into LCH led by Professor Matthew Collin at Newcastle University.

“Without everyone’s support and love for Isobel, funding this project would not have been possible,” Suzanne said.

“I hope they are all very proud to have helped to make this day finally happen.

“We’re also so grateful Professor Collin has chosen to explore LCH in-depth, as rare diseases are so often overlooked.

“It really gives families much-needed hope and light in their darkest of times.”