She was very scared after seeing her father pass away just 10 months after diagnosis and feared her fate would be the same.
She was diagnosed with a benign cystic brain tumour but because of its location and the fact she was losing her eyesight, her family was told the tumour was inoperable.
The family contacted Dr Charlie Teo who agreed to operate – but in Spain as he isn’t permitted to work here because of licence restrictions – and he successfully removed Monica’s tumour last July.
The former St Lukes Primary School at Revesby and Mt St Joseph Milperra student is now back to living a normal life, working, having fun with friends, swimming and walking, and is on a mission to help others by raising awareness and funds through taking part in the #Challenge4BrainCancer.
“I am seeking sponsors for my half-hour daily walk which I will do until the end of May which is Brain Cancer Awareness Month,” she said.
“I am walking in memory of my Dad and raising funds for the Charlie Teo Foundation so researchers can continue the amazing work that they do.
“The challenge is that we don’t know what causes brain cancer and there is no cure but having Charlie operate on me was the best decision I have ever made.”
With almost 2,000 cases of brain cancer expected this year and numbers rising, residents are asked to dig deep and donate to Monica at charlie-teo-foundation.grassrootz.com/challenge-4-brain-cancer-2023/walk-with-monica.
