Amber Hughes (affectionately known to her family and friends as Ambs) was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with DIPG in September 2021. She fought a tough battle for a year and sadly passed away just before her 18th birthday in September 2022.

Amb’s was someone who touched a lot of people’s hearts in her short but amazing life. She was always wanting to help others, even when she was going through her own battle. She would see all the young kids doing it tough in the oncology wards and would always be so upset that they had to go through what she was going through.

During her battle, she wanted to raise money to help find a cure for DIPG. Ambs never wanted anyone to have to go through DIPG. She was always someone who wanted to help in any way she could. Ambs decided in a heartbeat to donate her tumour to Professor Matthew Dun’s DIPG Lab at the University of Newcastle to help find a cure after she passed away.

As there are not many treatment options for DIPG, her only option was radiation, not chemo, which meant that she didn’t lose her hair. However, Ambs decided to shave her head for Charlie’s Run 4 Kids in 2021. They were raising money for two little boys battling cancer. What an amazing person she was.

Ambs was and always will be a warrior; she never stopped fighting and always did it with a smile on her face. She lived life to the fullest and made light of every situation, even when it wasn’t in her favour. Ambs always lit up a room whenever she walked in. She had an infectious laugh and a heart of gold.

Ambs was an earth angel who is now our angel.