Charlie Teo and supporters will walk across the Harbour Bridge to raise funds for cancer research
While controversy continues to follow Charlie Teo, his patients remain devoted, with many set to support the neurosurgeon and his quest to cure brain cancer.
NSW
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While controversy continues to follow Charlie Teo, his patients remain resolute, with scores flocking to his home on Saturday to support the neurosurgeon and his quest to cure brain cancer.
Lauren Spero said she was committed to supporting Dr Teo and other “out-of-the-box” surgeons and researchers who “aren’t afraid to take risks and to help find a cure so that there can be more patients like me, who are able to live long and full lives”.
“Charlie means the world to me and my family,” Ms Spero said.
“In 2011, five other neurosurgeons would not remove the mass inside my brain. A few of the surgeons even lacked confidence in their skills so much that they said Charlie was the only man for the job.
“Fortunately, Charlie removed the mass then and again when it regrew, in 2019.”
Lauren’s second child was just eight weeks old at the time. Today her son Charlie is six and her bub Ruby is four.
“He has enabled me and so many others to live long and full lives that would have been taken away from us without him,” she said. “I pray that the tumour does not return a third time for without Charlie in my corner, I don’t feel so confident that the outcome will be the same.”
Lauren joined patients of all ages who are preparing for a walk over Sydney Harbour Bridge with Dr Teo on September 17 to raise funds for childhood brain cancer.
To date the Charlie Teo Foundation has committed more than $10 million to brain cancer research.
Janine Mladin — who has difficulty speaking because of her brain tumour struggle, repeated surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy — travelled from Camden.
Despite her hurdles, she is grateful for the 10 years she has had with her two daughters, now 17 and 20.
Foundation CEO Alana Phadke said the foundation had already donated $2.7 million to DIPG/DMG specific research, the deadliest of all childhood cancers.
“Compare this to the Australian government that has awarded $970,000 to DIPG/DMG specific research over the same period,” she said.
Hundreds of patients, friends and families from across Australia are expected at the walk.
Dr Teo was forced to consider overseas options after conditions imposed on him by a professional conduct hearing make it impossible to work in Australia.
After complaints from families of two patients with devastating outcomes, the Health Care Complaints Commission found Dr Teo guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct for “not exercising appropriate judgment”.
Dr Teo has publicly denounced the HCCC findings.
Cydonee Mardon is a former patient of Dr Teo.
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