On 22nd December my daughter Alissa was diagnosed with a brain tumour. To hear someone say the words ‘you have a brain tumour’ to your then 15 year old daughter was the most shocking, unexpected and devastating news. It’s been a frightening and worrying 6 months. Alissa has been through so many procedures, scans, surgery and tests only to find out that her tumour is so rare it doesn’t actually have a name. No one in the UK has seen a case like this before.

Alissa has a number of serious and life long conditions caused by the tumour but the next job is tackle the tumour and not just the problems it has caused. Without research young people like Alissa face too much uncertainty. To be told by national experts that they have never seen a case like yours before is quite unnerving. She is one in millions! This is why research is so important. She is part of a national and international research project to find out what new, unknown tumours like hers actually are and how they can best be treated. She has just started chemotherapy in the hope it will be able to attack the active cells in her body, but this is a best guess at treatment.

She is the bravest, most inspirational person I know. Her positivity and vibrancy and fighting spirit make her so very special! She has had to face so many challenges and difficult conversations so far, and will continue to have them but at the same time as, of course making sure she does not miss out on any social events!

Her bravery has inspired me so much so I applied to run the London Marathon 2025 for The Brain Tumour Charity. And … I was selected to run for them!!!!!

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. They understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait. It can’t wait for us and it can’t wait for others.