Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
On the weekend of the 4/5th September 2010, I will be completing an event called the Lemming Trail, which is a 120km cycle ride following the South Downs Way, featuring over 9,000 ft of climbs - the equivalent of riding a 1/3rd of the way up Mount Everest.I will be fundraising for the SDBTTT\Andy Petersen fund which is an umbrella fund of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.
2 years ago, a very good friend of mine lost her brother in law because of a brain tumour.
Read his story below and help me raise more money for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust which is a leading charity dedicated to adult and childhood brain tumour research in the UK. Their aim is to raise awareness, support and funds for brain tumour research to help fight this devastating disease and give hope to brain tumour patients in the future.
Andy Petersen was 34 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour following many months’ of headaches, constant fatigue and suffering facial palsy. An MRI scan (April 2004) found a tumour larger than an orange was pushing from one side of the brain to the other, and Andy underwent his first craniotomy operation whereby 95% of the tumour was removed. In Nov 2004 Andy suffered a Grand Mal seizure, prompting a further scan. Over the years that followed, Andy underwent Radiotherapy, Temolozide and PCV Chemotherapy and was determined to beat his reoccurring Illness. Towards the end of 2007 Andy received a bump to the head which resulted in hospitalisation and during the following months he started to deteriorate. In March 2008 Andy underwent a second craniotomy, this time awake and Andy seemed once again to make a remarkable recovery now even more determined to beat the disease. Feeling really well, Andy and the family decided to take a holiday to Barbados - unfortunately on holiday Andy suffered a large brain bleed from the tumour site (a very rare occurrence) and died peacefully in paradise on 19th May 2008 aged 38. Andy was full of life and was one of the nicest men you would ever hope to meet. His sheer determination to keep living was an inspiration. He took on board all of the treatment and even completed a tandem sky-dive for charity for those less fortunate than himself. Andy left behind a loving wife, two small children and a family who miss him every day. You can read more about Andy’s story at http://www.brainstrust.org.uk/andys-story.php
