Sally Bramall
Sally & Emma's Endurance Walk for Lizzie
Fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity
Story
In February 2018, after a couple of weeks of minor symptoms, we received the horrifying diagnosis that our daughter Lizzie, aged just 9, had an inoperable brain tumour called DIPG. DIPG affects only around 30 children in the UK each year, with an average life of expectancy from diagnosis of only 9 months. Lizzie died in our arms in November 2018, a week before her 10th birthday.
Lizzie participated in a clinical trial part funded by The Brain Tumour Charity, so she understood first-hand the importance of research. Lizzie decided she wanted to set up Lizzie's Fund to further the research funding available into childhood brain tumours. Research into brain tumours is shockingly underfunded in comparison to many other cancers, historically less than 2% of UK cancer research spend, so as a result survival is also amongst the worst of all cancers - yet it is the LARGEST cancer killer of children and young adults under 40.
Lizzie's mum Sally and aunt Emma are taking on two 50 kilometre (31 mile) endurance walks this summer, to raise money in Lizzie's name, a total distance between us of 200k.
The first 50k walk is in Suffolk on May 11th with 16 other ladies from Nayland. Then on September 8th, we're tackling the Thames Path Walk, ending in Henley on Thames. Although there's a gap between the walks, that's plenty of time to lose any fitness from the first walk, so we're still planning double training! With every mile we walk, we will be remembering Lizzie's determination and positivity.
Thank you so much for supporting our efforts to honour Lizzie's amazing courage.
More details about Lizzie's story is available on www.lizziesfund.co.uk
The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours, making a difference every day to the lives of people with a brain tumour and their families. We fund pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours and provide support for everyone affected to improve quality of life. We are committed to having the biggest possible impact for every person affected by a brain tumour, and to defending the most amazing part of the human body.