Sarah McKeown, a devoted mother from Quedgeley, is on a heartfelt mission to grant her five-year-old son, Mason Hogg, a dream trip to Legoland. Mason, who adores Lego, is currently confronting a complex battle with multiple rare brain tumours that affect his eyes, skull, ears, and neck.
The alarming journey began last July during a family holiday in Cornwall when Sarah noticed Mason’s left eye swelling. Initially thought to be a minor stye, the symptoms persisted despite several ophthalmology appointments at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. After being referred to a specialist, a concerning discovery was made during an MRI at Bristol Children’s Hospital in October—a tumour pressing against Mason’s optic nerves.
Mason was diagnosed with a Grade 1 meningioma, a rare tumour growing in the brain’s surrounding fluid and skull. Although Grade 1 tumours are considered the least aggressive, Mason’s condition escalated to Grade 2 as multiple tumours were identified not only behind both eyes but also at the base of his skull, near his teeth, and behind his nose.
READ MORE: Calls to Keep Three Counties or Mercia Combined Authority Option Open
READ MORE: Devoted Grandmother and Beloved Wife Remembered in Gloucestershire Funeral Notices
Some of these tumours are so rare that medical experts revealed Mason is the first child worldwide diagnosed with their specific presentation, making treatment decisions extremely challenging. “There’s no literature on Mason’s case,” Sarah shared. “Surgery could bring serious complications because Mason is still so young.”
The situation worsened when a tumour behind Mason’s right ear caused his vocal cord to become paralysed, leading to breathing difficulties and abnormal skull growth. In January, Mason underwent a complex craniotomy, with surgeons accessing the tumour through his eye and nose to remove the soft tumour tissue at his skull’s base. Remarkably, Mason recovered quickly, astonishing his medical team.
Despite this progress, Mason faces ongoing risks. The tumour threatens his right eye and optic nerve, putting his vision in jeopardy. Additionally, a dormant neck tumour remains unbiopsied, with critical scans scheduled soon.
Amidst these challenges, Sarah is determined to create joyful memories by taking Mason and his older brothers to Legoland before further invasive treatments. She launched a GoFundMe campaign with a £3,000 target to cover travel and accommodation costs and has already raised over £6,000 thanks to generous donors.
Sarah expressed her gratitude and admiration for Mason’s bravery, saying, “He’s such a loving and resilient boy, curious about his treatments and always accepting what comes his way. This trip means the world to him—he’s Lego mad and dreams of building his own Lego museum.”
The family finds strength in their community’s support and hopes their story will bring attention to the rare challenges Mason faces while giving him the chance to enjoy a memorable day of fun and laughter.