Tayen was 22 months old when her parents were told she had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) which causes non-cancerous tumours to form around her body. At the age of 22 months her vision deteriorated and it was found that she had tumours wrapping around both optic nerves. Tayen has had chemotherapy for the tumours which has left her unsteady but developing normally again.
The charity Childhood Tumour Trust received a Jeans for Genes grant to fund a PGL camp for young people with the genetic condition.