MEMBERS of the public are being urged to give generously to help save the life of Stanthorpe resident Yasmin McKillop, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

The Stanthorpe Fundraising Group for Yasmin is trying to raise the $60,000 needed to remove a potentially fatal tumour from her brain.

Fundraising group member and Yasmin’s best friend, Keryn Drake, said time was running out to remove the tumour.

“Yasmin has a brain tumour that is wrapped around a blood vessel,” Ms Drake said.

“Time is of the essence, if we take too long to raise this money she could have a stroke and be paralysed down one side.

“It is very uplifting to know there is a possible way out for her, if she can have the operation and it is successful she will hopefully be cured.”

Originally diagnosed in 2006, Yasmin underwent surgery that successfully removed a tumour from her head.

Unfortunately, in 2007 three more active tumours were discovered in Yasmin’s brain and to make matters worse, doctors informed herthat removing the growths would be too dangerous giving her a one in 10 chance of a successful outcome.

However, while undertaking radiotherapy at St Andrew’s Hospital in Toowoomba, Yasmin was informed that the tumours were actually operable and later that year two of the three tumours were successfully removed.

This left one remaining tumour in her brain, and doctors were adamant operating could cost Yasmin her life.

With the one tumour still to be removed, Yasmin’s health appeared to improve, and after several six-monthly check-ups with no change in her condition, doctors agreed to move to 12-monthly visits.