Sam Suriakumar
Sam & the unwelcome guest in his head!
Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research
Story
Hi my name is Sam - a 34 year old Christian, musician, entrepreneur, Gooner, Bret Hitman Hart & A.R.Rahman enthusiast, but most importantly husband to my beautiful wife and father to two incredible girls - Chindhu, Avaana & Arya, the loves of my life. Earlier this year our lives were turned upside down and changed forever...
On Tuesday 4th Feb 2020, I left work early and jumped on the Underground Northern Line to get myself home as I wasn't quite feeling myself. I closed my eyes to get some rest - but the next 48 hours are completely blank to me. I had collapsed on the tube due to seizures which I had never had before. Thanks to some amazing members of the public, TFL staff and paramedics I ended up at St George’s hospital. A few scans and tests later I was given the unfortunate news that I had a brain tumour. To be honest the moment I heard the words "Brain Tumour" it felt like life stopped and I was in a dark tunnel with no light - I couldn't speak, hear, understand or comprehend what was going on.
I am still trying to digest it all and it is terrifying BUT it will not defeat me. It's like the darkness was because I shut my eyes and wanted it all to just go away, but in reality after taking the blinkers off I realised there is so much more light and love that I've never appreciated before. Life looks more beautiful already - I am already living my best life and suddenly menial things are just that...irrelevant. The fight has begun, I am ready - every second, of every day and make no mistake, with God by my side, I have already won.
So many of you have showered me and my girls with so much love, support and prayers...and I just can’t say thank you enough. You will be amazed how much of a difference you make to someone just by showing kindness, giving them your time and telling them you care. I
Just to give you some basic information on the unwelcome guest in my head! Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer...yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. They are the only national charity in the UK that is dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. You can help us fund the fight into what scientists are calling the last battleground against cancer.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Much love, Sam
