Megan Bhari | |
|---|---|
| Died | 28 March 2018 |
| Nationality | English/British |
| Known for | Medical hoax |
Early life
editMegan Bhari was born to Jean Bhari and has at least two older sisters. [1] Bhari's parents separated when Megan was very young.
Illness
editAt age 13, Bhari was diagnosed with Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition meaning increased pressure around the brain that can cause severe or permanent vision loss. [2][3] At the age 16, Bhari's mother announced her daughter's diagnosis of a brain tumor.[4]
Charity work
editIn January 2012, Bhari and her mother Jean opened a charity called "Believe in Magic" which funded events for seriously and terminally ill children like Bhari. The charity focused on children in hospitals and hospice.[5] The charity gained celebrity attention with members of One Direction openly supporting the cause, along with endorsements from Jessie J, Olly Murs, Little Mix, and Michael Bublé. [6] Bhari was also given a UK Points of Light award by David Cameron.[7]
In 2015, the charity had raised over £340,000 according to Charity Commission for England and Wales.[5] In 2017 a statutory inquiry was made into the charity in which it was found that charity trustees had failed to file several annual accounts and had submitted several accounts late.[8] The charity was officially closed in August 2020.[8]
Death
editOn 28 March, 2018, Bhari died at age 23 at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. [3] A post mortem examination concluded that Bhari died of fatty liver disease.[4]
Controversy
editreferences
edithttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65428918 https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/megan-bhari-one-direction-brain-tumour-b2339819.html https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1769503/megan-bhari-believe-in-magic-brain-tumour https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sad-truth-about-megan-bhari-the-cancer-fundraiser-loved-by-stars-txnvkfcp5
- ^ Brooks, Cally (2023-05-12). "Teen charmed celebs with 'fake brain tumour' only to die months later". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ "Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ a b "Megan Bhari: Her illness fooled celebs. The truth may be even darker". BBC News. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ a b "A 1D fan claimed she had a tumour. We still don't know the truth after her death". The Independent. 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ a b "BELIEVE IN MAGIC - Charity 1145557". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ Watt, Holly; Boseley, Sarah (2017-04-06). "Accounts frozen at charity backed by One Direction". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ McBride, Jake (2015-06-11). "Believe in Magic". Points of Light. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ a b "BELIEVE IN MAGIC - Charity 1145557". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-25.