Courage inspires charity ride

The courage of a Denmark girl battling a terminal brain tumour has inspired her friend to take part in a charity ride for the first time.

Seven-year-old Taylah Stahl was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in June.

DIPG affects part of the brainstem, which controls the nervous system, and is one of the most resistant cancers to chemotherapy.

Only 10 per cent of children with DIPG live longer than 18 months after their diagnosis, but Taylah is brave.

Mother Tegan Stahl said recent months had been heartbreaking.

"The doctors have said she is going to die, we just don't know when," she said.

"It is pretty overwhelming."

Taylah finished 10 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy recently and a scan in Perth was expected to show how successful the treatments have been.

If the tumour continues to grow, there are not many options for Taylah. Ms Stahl said there was only one chance to reduce its size.

"It is too harsh on her body … she has had the most she can," she said.

Stevie Donohoe has known Taylah since she was born and, despite a 17-year age gap, counts her as one of her best friends.

"Taylah means the world to me," the 24-year-old said.

"The way she has handled things has been amazing."

Ms Donohoe said she felt helpless after Taylah's diagnosis and cycling 200km in the Ride to Conquer Cancer next month was a practical way she could offer support to the family while raising funds for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Ms Donohoe must raise $2500 by October 5 to participate.

"Kids like Taylah go through so much," she said.

"This is just my way of doing something to help in any way I can."

To donate, contact Ms Donohoe on 0427 789 154.