Luke Poga, a young boy from southern Hertfordshire, England, began experiencing significant weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown, which his mother, Sam, initially attributed to overeating and lack of exercise.

However, after receiving comments from other parents about Luke's appearance, Sam sought help from a nutritionist and later an optician, leading to a referral to Barnet Hospital.

An MRI scan revealed a large, diffuse brain tumor that could not be surgically removed, resulting in a devastating diagnosis of an inoperable high-grade glioma.

Luke was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DIPG), an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor, which was confirmed as Stage 4, indicating its fast-growing nature.

Despite undergoing combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which initially helped him manage his weight and enjoy family life, Luke was declared terminal in early 2024.

To raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research, over 300 staff and children from Summerswood Primary School are participating in a 10,000-step challenge throughout February 2025.

Signs of glioma, such as unexplained weight changes, headaches, and vision problems, can often be mistaken for less serious issues, underscoring the importance of awareness and early detection.

In December 2024, the school community faced further tragedy when another child, a 10-year-old girl, died from a similar condition just four months after Luke's death.

Sam Poga is now dedicated to raising awareness about brain tumor symptoms and advocating for increased research funding, highlighting that brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer deaths among children and young adults.

Dr. Karen Noble from Brain Tumour Research emphasized the complexity of brain tumor symptoms and the critical need for increased funding to improve detection and treatment options.

Tragically, Luke passed away on August 26, 2024, at the age of 9, after a courageous battle with his illness.

In response to these losses, the school community is coming together to honor the memory of the children and support their families through this challenging time.