Oliver George
A Marathon for Mark's Matter
Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research
Story
As a sibling duo we are attempting the London Marathon and are aiming to raise £7,000 for Brain Tumour Research on behalf of our Dad, Mark.
In 2016, at the age of 57, Dad was taken to hospital after losing control of his arm whilst out cycling. Ten days later he was admitted to King’s College Hospital for brain surgery. From that point on our family’s lives, collectively and individually, entered the realm of the great unknown.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the red herring we hoped for, this was an incurable Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. During the first ten months Dad endured brain surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As we approached the end of the year hoping to start a new chapter, we discovered that the tumour, often referred to as ‘The Terminator’, had regrown, taking him straight back into Kings for a second major operation.
Brain tumours 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 this devastating disease.
Without many survivors, brain tumour research needs a voice and given that we had no idea about brain cancer before it forced its way into our lives, we want to help raise the profile. There are so many different tumours that it will take a lot of money and a lot of research to be able help those suffering in the long-term. The complexity of brain tumours needs to be understood by the wider community, otherwise the lack of funding will never increase.
So why are we choosing to run?
Olly has found that running has become essential to coping with Dad’s diagnosis and thought he could use this to make some good out of a truly horrific situation. On reading Olly’s application (below) Beth was inspired to jump on board in a bid to raise as much attention and money as possible:
“When I run, I get that sense of freedom dad speaks about when he rides his bike. I now run at least 10K a week as part of my method of coping with his cancer. I’ve had some amazing runs where I’ve smashed PB’s and felt on top of the world. I’ve had runs where I’m angry, furious at the unfair cards we’ve been dealt and finally, runs that end in a complete melt down, overcome with emotion. I don’t think I could have broken down so many barriers to reach any kind of emotional acceptance or the ability to adapt to the changes to my life, without running. From such a simple exercise, I’ve already gained so much.”
If dad can endure two rounds of brain surgery, all the treatment and darkness that cancer brings with it, then the least we can endure is 26.2 miles!
Olly is buzzing, Beth is terrified. Hopefully we can cross the finishing line together..!
Please support us in any way that you can, every penny goes directly to funding brain tumour research, a cause that desperately needs your help and your attention.
Thank you so much!
Olly and Beth x
In 2016, at the age of 57, Dad was taken to hospital after losing control of his arm whilst out cycling. Ten days later he was admitted to King’s College Hospital for brain surgery. From that point on our family’s lives, collectively and individually, entered the realm of the great unknown.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the red herring we hoped for, this was an incurable Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. During the first ten months Dad endured brain surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As we approached the end of the year hoping to start a new chapter, we discovered that the tumour, often referred to as ‘The Terminator’, had regrown, taking him straight back into Kings for a second major operation.
Brain tumours 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 this devastating disease.
Without many survivors, brain tumour research needs a voice and given that we had no idea about brain cancer before it forced its way into our lives, we want to help raise the profile. There are so many different tumours that it will take a lot of money and a lot of research to be able help those suffering in the long-term. The complexity of brain tumours needs to be understood by the wider community, otherwise the lack of funding will never increase.
So why are we choosing to run?
Olly has found that running has become essential to coping with Dad’s diagnosis and thought he could use this to make some good out of a truly horrific situation. On reading Olly’s application (below) Beth was inspired to jump on board in a bid to raise as much attention and money as possible:
“When I run, I get that sense of freedom dad speaks about when he rides his bike. I now run at least 10K a week as part of my method of coping with his cancer. I’ve had some amazing runs where I’ve smashed PB’s and felt on top of the world. I’ve had runs where I’m angry, furious at the unfair cards we’ve been dealt and finally, runs that end in a complete melt down, overcome with emotion. I don’t think I could have broken down so many barriers to reach any kind of emotional acceptance or the ability to adapt to the changes to my life, without running. From such a simple exercise, I’ve already gained so much.”
If dad can endure two rounds of brain surgery, all the treatment and darkness that cancer brings with it, then the least we can endure is 26.2 miles!
Olly is buzzing, Beth is terrified. Hopefully we can cross the finishing line together..!
Please support us in any way that you can, every penny goes directly to funding brain tumour research, a cause that desperately needs your help and your attention.
Thank you so much!
Olly and Beth x
