Sarah McKeown, a mother from Quedgeley, is raising funds to take her five-year-old son, Mason Hogg, who is battling multiple rare brain tumours, on his first-ever trip to Legoland. Mason, a self-proclaimed Lego enthusiast, is currently undergoing treatment and awaiting biopsies for tumours affecting his eyes, skull, ears, and neck.
The family first noticed something was wrong during a holiday in Cornwall last July when Mason’s left eye began to swell. Despite several ophthalmologist appointments and initial reassurances, it was only after a referral to an adult eye specialist that concerning signs behind Mason’s eye were detected.
In October, after Mason started experiencing headaches and eye pain, an MRI at Bristol Children’s Hospital revealed a tumour in his nose pressing against both optic nerves. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 meningioma, a rare tumour that grows around the brain and skull. While Grade 1 tumours are the least aggressive, Mason’s condition quickly evolved.
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As additional scans revealed multiple tumours behind both eyes, at the base of his skull, near his teeth, and behind his nose, surgeons upgraded his diagnosis to Grade 2 meningiomas. His case is exceptionally rare—so much so that doctors believe he is the first child in the world to have tumours in these locations, posing significant challenges for treatment.
Shortly before Christmas, Mason developed a troubling cough and a squeaky voice caused by a tumour behind his right ear that paralyzed his right vocal cord and affected his breathing. His mother explained that the tumour was causing abnormal bone growth and erosion of his skull.
On January 5, Mason underwent a delicate craniotomy, where surgeons accessed his tumours through his eye and nose to remove the softer tumour tissue near his skull base. The operation was a success, with Mason surprising doctors by waking up quickly and reporting no pain shortly afterward.
Though the surgery was a major milestone, Mason still faces an uncertain future. One tumour is now pressing on his right eye’s optic nerve, threatening his vision. Additionally, a dormant tumour in his neck remains unbiopsied, and the family eagerly awaits further MRI scans scheduled for mid-April.
Amid these challenges, Sarah hopes to take Mason and his older brothers on a memorable family trip to Legoland before further biopsies take place—an opportunity to lift Mason’s spirits. To finance this outing, Sarah launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to cover the £3,000 cost of an overnight stay and park visit. The community’s response has been overwhelming, with donations already surpassing £6,000.
Sarah shared her admiration for Mason’s strength: “He was very active before, playing football, tennis, swimming, and street dance. He’s struggled to give those up, but he faces all his treatments with maturity beyond his years. He never complains, listens carefully, understands what’s happening, and accepts it.”
Mason’s passion for Lego remains a bright spot in this difficult journey. “He wants to build a Lego museum,” Sarah said. “Being able to take this trip will mean so much to him and help keep his spirits up.”