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Family boost to neurosurgery research after mum’s pioneering op

donation

Pictured are Simon and Alison with Dr Low

A son and daughter have handed over a donation of £1,158 to neurosurgery research in memory of their mum, Robina Willett.

The 74-year-old, who suffered from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, was one of the first people with the condition to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery to help correct a tremor.

The first surgery, at Queen’s Hospital, was deemed a ‘miracle’ by her family for how it helped her to get her life back. Unfortunately, the tremor returned so she underwent surgery again in April this year.

While she was initially recovering well, Mrs Willett, of Whalebone Lane North, Chadwell Heath, died from an infection in May.

Her daughter Alison Aguis, of Beechcroft Road, South Woodford, said: “After the surgery, she had her sparkle back and was really positive. It allowed her to do things we all take for granted, like peel the potatoes or hold a cup of tea.

“Her tremor was exhausting for her, so undergoing this surgery gave her hope, which was more important than anything else.”

Alison, 51, and brother Simon Willett, 53, asked family and friends to make donations rather than buy flowers for her funeral and raised the impressive sum.

It was donated to our charity, the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity, and will go towards funding neurological research at our hospitals.

Dr Hu Liang Low, our Consultant Neurosurgeon who operated on Mrs Willett, called her a true pioneer who has helped others. He said: “We remember Mrs Willett as a chatty and lively lady, but she was more than that. Our experience treating her has allowed us to successfully treat another patient with a similar condition.”

 

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