Meet Cameron Stewart, the 18-year-old barman who owes his life to GOSH

When Cameron was just 10 years old doctors discovered a tumour the size of an orange lodged in his brain

Watching him mix one of LAB's signature cocktails, you wouldn't think this 18-year-old barman had major brain surgery at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Cameron Stewart talks about his experiences and how the charity enhanced the specialist care he received including "the most amazing people he has ever met" who helped him to recover.

During a family skiing trip 10-year-old Cameron described feeling "a bit fuzzy around the edges". He recalled, "I would wake up in the morning with a headache, feeling sick, and then being sick. Once I'd been sick I would feel fine. I'd then go down to breakfast and stuff my face with pancakes and go out skiing all day. Mum said to one of our friends, 'if I didn't know better I'd think he'd been drinking and was suffering from a hangover'."

Thinking nothing of it, the family continued with their holiday, and returned home on Sunday night. A routine eye test the following day picked up pressure on his optic nerve and he was referred to his local hospital for an MRI scan of his brain. Cameron said, "That's when I first heard the words brain tumour."

Cameron was swiftly referred to GOSH for specialist care under the hospital's neurological team. He had a seven-hour operation where surgeons carefully removed most of the tumour, that went from the size of an orange to roughly the size of a golf ball.

"My parents said it was the longest day of their lives," said Cameron. "My operation had to be put back by a few days because there was a baby who needed immediate surgery, whereas I was in no imminent danger and could wait for a couple of days. I do remember the baby coming in with his parents. This was the first time that I could really see how hard it must have been for my parents seeing me go through what I was going through. I am so thankful to them for being so strong throughout my treatment."

Now 18, Cameron says his time at the hospital has had a big impact on him. "While I was on the ward one little girl stuck out from the crowd for me," he said. "She was so positive despite all the stuff she was going through. I don't know what happened to her but I just hope she made it through just like I did."

After just five days Cameron was allowed to go home, going back to school just 10 days after brain surgery. He said, "I had to wear a hat for the following months to protect my scar from the sunlight. It also reminded my friends, that although I looked fine on the outside, my brain had been through a lot."

Cameron still lives with the tumour inside his brain and now that he is 18 he has moved to adult services. He says, "The thing I remember most about my stay at GOSH is all the staff – they are the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. Every time I would go back for a check-up I'd see them, they are always smiling and really chatty. I really admire the doctors and nurses, they are the reason I'm still here today."

Despite a scar on the left side of his head, self-proclaimed bad handwriting, and no longer playing his beloved rugby, you wouldn't know he was living with a brain tumour.

Since his operation Cameron has helped to raise funds for the hospital by speaking at events to tell his story. He first stood up to speak at the age of 11, just a year after his surgery. He thinks it's spurred him on to get into acting. "It has even given me direction as to my future career – I love the buzz of standing in front of a live audience," he said.

Cameron is urging readers to dig deep for our appeal to help patients like him. He said, "As for GOSH and all the amazing people who work there they hold a very special place in my heart. For me, Give to GOSH is about giving something back to the hospital that saved my life. I never expected to be needing them, no one ever does; as this stuff only happens to other people and their children; I'm eternally grateful that GOSH was there for me.

"Thank you to all the readers who support this fantastic appeal your generosity will make a difference to the lives of families like mine."

Learn how to shake a stir

Cameron's employer, the London Academy of Bartending (LAB), which has trained bartenders for many of London's premier venues, are offering you and up to nine guests the chance to step behind the bar as part of The Independent's online charity auction. Learn to shake, muddle and create cocktails aided by LAB's finest bartenders.

To find out more about our charity auction and to make your bid, please visit www.givergy.com/charity/gosh

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