MY STORY

I have been wondering when was an appropriate time to close my Just Giving page. Having completed the flight, raised an amazing amount of money, thanks to your generosity and support, and also managed to be placed in 170 regional and several national newspapers including the Times and The Independent. I feel my initial objective of raising awareness of this type of cancer has potentially been achieved. 

As such, I want to move on to the next stage which for me is to try and raise a question around the social responsibility of research companies to also pursue non-profitable drugs,should they be able to drive significant profits from their broader portfolio. Having been in finance for most of my career I understand the challenges but I think there is a middle ground that could and should be explored.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your messages, encouragement and stories of me in the past. They have been incredibly energising and helped me focus and drive forward. I have been very blessed through my life with such wonderful friends and I thank you. I have also been touched by the stories of those that I don’t know but who have taken the trouble to contact me and tell me their experiences. Whilst harrowing in certain cases, they have been also very inspiring and encouraging for me to continue the quest .

I’m also blessed with an amazing family that sustain me daily and I consider myself very fortunate, grateful and proud.

Reluctantly, I will sign off now but just wanted to say I have loved being in touch with you. Jamie

On May 17 this year I returned from a holiday where I was cycling, golfing, walking and running in beautiful Mallorca. I had had a great time but had noticed that my balance was not quite right. Thinking I had an inner ear infection or, worst case, early onset Parkinson’s as my father is a sufferer, I went to the Doctor on May 19. After tests I was sent for a CT scan and an MRI where lesions were found. On June 2, I had a biopsy and 11 days later I was told that I have a Glioblastoma which is inoperable, incurable and an average life expectancy of 12 months.

Currently I am having a treatment of 30 radiotherapy sessions and considering the next stage which might be chemotherapy. I am semi paralysed, in a wheelchair and have a full time carer. I have only been back from Mallorca for 8 weeks.

I am, or was, a fit 61 year old, retiring from my remaining roles and really enjoying my golf, cycling and garden. I have a wonderful family and I am the proudest Papa to a gorgeous 18 month old granddaughter. I have not abused my body, I love fresh good food and have a passion for sustainable product - I don’t think I have done anything to cause this - it’s totally random.

And that’s the point, it comes from a clear blue sky and literally carpet bombs your life.

According to the Brain Tumour Charity it is the biggest cause of cancer deaths for the under 40’s. It is indiscriminate, striking 500 children a year, ripping the heart out of a family over a really short period of time.

It’s totally brutal. Your independence, livelihood and life disappear in weeks and then you have to focus on quality of life while you wait for the inevitable eventual outcome. 12,000 people are diagnosed every year, 33 per day, and 5,300 die annually. Life expectancy is reduced by 27 years. 

And yet, as overall numbers are not large, this devastating disease gets 3% of the £700 million funding for research. 

THE EVENT 16th September 2022

So, why am I sending you this message?

I am trying to raise awareness of the condition and raise the understanding of its impact. A friend of mine suggested that I would be able to and would enjoy going up in her microlight aircraft and I thought I would use the experience to try and and raise some funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity. On 16th September this year we are going to complete two flights, both led by female pilots, and my daughter in law Rebecca and I will be the passengers. All the costs are covered so all the money raised will go to the Brain Tumour Charity.

 I will be grateful for anything that you would contribute.

This is very unlikely to benefit me but maybe it might help someone else in the future and given how random this is - you might know and love that person. 

Thank you for reading this 

Jamie Fairweather

THE CHARITY

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we're doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.