Story
I'm going to be taking on the world's most famous 26.2 miles on Sunday 23 April for The Brain Tumour Charity. Bring on the London Marathon 2023! By running for The Brain Tumour Charity I'm playing my part in The Charity's movement to defeat brain tumours sooner - by moving faster and further to find a cure. #ACureCantWait
In 1991 my Mum, Jean, died from a brain tumour at the age of 50. She was incredibly brave, enduring 4 major operations, radiotherapy and chemo during her 9 year battle with her illness.
In 2021, after a seizure, I was also diagnosed with a brain tumour which turned out to be Glioblastoma Multiforma (GBM4). I had successful surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemo. I am currently well and trying to stay fit and healthy, but GBM 4 is an aggressive form of cancer and is unpredictable and incurable. 50% of GBM4 patients do not survive beyond 18 months after diagnosis so I am certainly one of the lucky ones, even if my illness is likely to recur eventually.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to finding a cure for this devastating disease. While I still can, I want to do my bit to support the research and campaigning work of The Brain Tumour Charity.
I have a lot of training in front of me now. I plan to run the Brighton 10K and the Brighton Half Marathon as part of the journey to the London Marathon in April. I'll be running in memory of my Mum, and for everyone affected by brain tumours.
Thank you so much for anything you can give to support my fundraising effort...Dave :-)