Sixteen-year-old Tashreeq Titus from Hanover Park is beginning another difficult chapter in his battle against an aggressive cancer affecting his eye.

On 16 August, Tashreeq began his 20 consecutive days of radiation treatment, with doctors hoping the treatment will shrink the tumour behind his eye enough for them to safely remove the affected eye and tumour.

Tashreeq was first diagnosed with Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2024, after a swollen eye that initially appeared to be an allergy was found to be something far more serious.

He spent much of 2025 undergoing chemotherapy and making frequent hospital visits. Eventually, scans showed no signs of cancer, allowing Tashreeq to return to school and begin rebuilding his life. In Early July 2026, his headaches returned and the doctors confirmed that the rare aggressive cancer had returned around his eye.

The tumour has since grown rapidly, causing significant pain and headaches. Doctors have determined that the affected eye will need to be removed, while a spot on Tashreeq’s brain is also being closely monitored.

For the next 20 days, Tashreeq will undergo radiation in the hope of reducing the tumour before doctors proceed with the next step of his treatment.