Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the 8th of June 2015 at the age of 26 my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with a grade 3 cancerous incurable brain tumour called an Oligodendroglioma.
Leading up to the diagnosis for a few months I was experiencing headaches to begin with then double vision. I had visited my local doctors and A&E and was misdiagnosed four times and they put it down to cluster headaches. On the fifth time I was admitted to hospital and after they did a CT scan to reveal a large mass on my brain measuring 10cm by 7cm and 4cm thick, I was rushed to the RVI hospital in Newcastle for life saving brain surgery to remove most of the tumour which was safe to.
Since then I have had six weeks of intense radiotherapy to my brain and nine months of chemotherapy.
After around two weeks into my radiotherapy my hair started to fall out in patches. This for me was the only part of my journey that really upset me, but being the positive person that I am, when it got to the point when I needed to ‘brave the shave’ I knew I had to make it fun. I decided to separate the remainder of my hair into lot’s of ponytails and let all the kids in the street including my 11 year old son cut a bobble each. This also allowed all the children I am closest to be involved in my journey and would mean it wouldn’t be such a shock when they seen me with no hair. I then allowed my brother in law to shave the rest since I have always made fun of his baldness haha. Since braving the shave I have a lovely new wig which was cut and styled by the very talented Darren at Tribeca Hair in East Boldon. I am over the moon with it and really don’t know what I was so scared about and wish I had done it sooner. I also did a photo shoot without my wig to show that bald can be beautiful and have already inspired other cancer patients to brave the shave which is a very humbling feeling.

Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer in young adults and children and it makes me feel sad that only 2% of cancer research funds goes towards brain tumours, that is why I am going to do a skydive to raise money and awareness for such a worthy cause. I hope that one day they can find a cure for myself and many others and that I will be giving the chance to watch my son grow up, get married and have children of his own. Every penny donated is deeply appreciated and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, love to you all :)

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