As you will know, our daughter, Milly, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015. It was a devastating shock to our family but Milly received first class treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she had 5 rounds of chemotherapy, and University College London Hospital, where she had 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy sessions. It was a tough time but we will always be grateful for all the support we had from our families, friends and colleagues.

Four years on, and Milly is doing well and enjoying her first year at secondary school. She still has six monthly MRI scans which thankfully show everything is stable. However, like many children who have survived a brain tumour, Milly has been left with serious life-long health issues as a result of the tumour.  Milly has frequent appointments to see her endocrine consultant, Dr Helen Spouddeas, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who has spent much of her career championing the cause for further support for survivors of childhood brain tumours like Milly.  She established the SUCCESS Charity a few years ago.

SUCCESS is the first UK charity dedicated exclusively to improving the quality of life of patients surviving a brain tumour in childhood. The lasting effects of the tumour and the treatment can be neurological, hormonal and physical and can be just as devastating as the illness itself (if you would like to find out more take a look at the SUCCESS website at success charity.org).  We have attended two SUCCESS annual conferences so far where we have been privileged to meet the young ambassadors, who have shared their inspirational stories. Milly is also lucky enough to be taking part in a ground-breaking research project funded by the charity looking into the links between damaged pituitary/hypothalmus and obesity.  

Anyway, we are all signed up for Hackney Half Marathon (it seemed like a good idea at the time!!). I think our plan is to run about 10km and walk about 10km but really don't know what will happen on the day! Let's just hope we make it! Any support you feel like giving - either financial or just cheering us on - will be much appreciated!

Thank you xxxxxx