EastEnders has announced that it is working with Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK on a storyline that will see Lola Pearce, played by Danielle Harold, diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The BBC soap said it has worked with the organisations on the autumn storyline "to ensure it is portrayed as realistically and as sensitively as possible".
"It means so much to be trusted with a storyline like this - one that's close to many people's hearts," said EastEnders star Harold.
"Sadly, many of our viewers will be able to relate to Lola's story and it's been heartbreaking to speak to the families affected by brain tumours and hear their stories. They've been so amazing in sharing their experiences with me, and I'm so lucky to have them. I wouldn't be able to do this storyline without their support."
Sue Castle-Smith, Head of PR and Communications for the charity Brain Tumour Research, said: "We are extremely grateful to EastEnders for helping to raise awareness of brain tumours.
"Sadly, Lola's story is all too familiar to thousands of families. Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age; they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer."
Macmillan Cancer Support's Strategic Advisor for Treatment, Dany Bell, said: "Storylines like Lola's play a crucial role in raising awareness and can genuinely save viewers' lives, so we are really pleased to be helping EastEnders ensure a realistic experience is being portrayed on the show.
"The moving storyline will show how suddenly a diagnosis can impact every aspect of a person's life and how challenging it can truly be."
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, added: "It was vital for us to work alongside Macmillan and Brain Tumour Research to take on, and accurately present, such a profound and emotional storyline for Lola, one that many viewers may relate to.
"Danielle [Harold] has thoughtfully relayed the realities of being diagnosed with a brain tumour with grace and understanding. We hope that this storyline resonates with the audience and that we represent it as sensitively and accurately as possible."
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EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.
