I will be walking in memory of a remarkable young man, Adam, who lost his valiant battle with a Brain Tumour 2 days before Christmas in 2019.

After 3 seizures in rapid succession one morning in early 2016, Adam was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma Brain Tumour and underwent brain surgery a few weeks later to remove as much of the mass as possible. The operation was successful in removing around 90% of the tumour, and Adam awoke around 3 hours after going into theatre, wanting a cuppa and some chips - Classic Adam!! A biopsy of removed tumour cells indicated that this was Stage 3 bordering on Stage 4.

Shortly after recovering from the surgery, Adam underwent an aggressive round of 30 radiotherapy treatment cycles, followed by chemotherapy. Successive MRI scans showed that the tumour had been stalled, and in early 2017 Adam returned to work, and embracing life.Adam returned to good health generally, and his 3-monthly MRI scans appeared to show stability.

In October 2017, Adam joined 43 others and headed out to the USA to take part in his latest fundraising event, an epic 5 day 350 mile cycle challenge from Cameron, Grand Canyon USA, to Las Vegas.

Somewhat ironically, fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in memory of his grandmother Janet who was also taken too early at just 57, 15 years earlier.Due to the surgery, radiotherapy & chemo treatments, he’d managed merely around 125 miles training before setting off on the challenge. It was very fitting then that Adam led the peloton of 43 riders in to the finish, in Las Vegas, having raised enough to fund over 2 days’ research at one of BTR’s Centre of Excellence here in the UK.

Towards the end of 2018, Adam and our family were given the news that the tumour was again, and so whilst in with the consultant and without hesitation Adam asked to be booked-in for his 2nd craniotomy so it could be removed again. Following his 2nd operation, Adam began chemo again, and hopes were solely pinned on this treatment as more radiotherapy was not an option, but not before visiting one of BTR’s Centres of Excellence in London to place his fundraising tiles on their Wall of Hope, and see first-hand the work and research being conducted in the strive to discover a cure, that he himself had help fund through his challenge & donations.

Sadly, in November 2019, Adam was given the news that the chemo was not proving effective and further surgery was not an option: the tumour had taken too strong a hold. There was nothing else that could be done. Adam bravely decided later that same day, his 27th birthday no less, to go into Marie Curie Hospice Newcastle, where the amazing team there cared for him during the time he had left.

Not once in almost 4 years, had Adam complained, felt sorry for himself, or questioned “why me” - he simply got on with staying positive and fighting this awful disease that remains the single biggest cause of cancer-related deaths in the under 40’s, yet receives merely 1% of all cancer funding.

Adam was a very likeable and pleasant young man, and he maintained a strong determination and positive mental attitude right from the start of his dreadful diagnosis. His continued bravery and courage despite the forward prognosis of his tumour, should continue to inspire us all, Every. Single. Day....

I myself have Fibromyalgia and Post Viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am unable to take part in some of the more “challenging” things which others participate in. I can however walk, and given our connections with BTR will take part in this event! 

Adam was a very selfless young man whom I had an amazing relationship with. I am so proud to be his step-mum. 

One in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour. Wherever you are and however this devastating disease has touched your life, we are calling on you to take part by joining (or organising) a Walk of Hope in your area.

Step forward on Saturday 30th September and raise vital funds and awareness to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.

It's time to put your best foot forward and help make Walk of Hope 2023 bigger and better than ever.

Together we will find a cure.