On the 16th October 2006, my world fell apart when my wife and I were taken into a room by a doctor and told that our fit ‘normal’ 6-year-old boy - Sam, had a brain tumour.

We were rushed from Bedford to Cambridge in an ambulance, where further tests confirmed that Sam had a life threatening tumour which had to be operated on immediately.

A six hour ‘brain operation’ was followed by a further operation to insert a ‘shunt’ in Sam’s head (to drain brain fluid), plus 2 further operations to insert a ‘peg’ to feed Sam and a Hickman line (to enable Sam to give and take blood).

Following the initial operation, my previously fit and healthy son had to learn how to walk again, lost the use of his left arm (he was left handed) and spent 3 ½ weeks in hospital, in much pain and discomfort.

He then had to endure 31 days of intensive radiotherapy, involving him lying face down (20 minutes a day), on a plastic bed, whilst having his head locked in a custom made mask.  This was followed by 11 months of chemotherapy, resulting in sickness of up to 4 times a night, numerous scans and tests, intensive fatigue, hair loss, stigmatism in his right eye, and constant fear of infection.

Angie (my wife) was 8 ½ months pregnant at the time (our daughter was born on 18th Nov) and although I consider myself to be a strong individual I admit to crying every day and night, whilst out of sight from my amazingly brave son.

On New Years Eve (2007) Sam received his last dose of Chemo – easily the hardest year we could ever imagine.  A recent scan has confirmed that the tumour has gone – thank God (literally).  Although we have won the first battle, the very treatment used to save Sam’s life will unfortunately affect him for the rest of his life.  The radiotherapy will affect a part of Sam’s brain which will lead to some form of learning difficulty – which can be severe in children who are young.

I am running the marathon, along with my sister-in-law Sally, to raise money for two charities.  Firstly a charity dedicated to helping children with brain traumas to overcome these learning difficulties.  The second is for CLIC Sargent, which is dedicated to helping children and families with all types of cancer.

This is a disgusting disease which has no thought over the beautiful, innocent people it affects, old or young.  I still feel blessed to have amazing family and 3 gorgeous children.  Many families we have met have gone through much worse – some children not quite making it. 

Before this happened, I now believe I was quite selfish and ignorant to the terrible suffering being endured by ‘someone else’ or ‘someone else’s children.    The marathon is easily the biggest physical challenge of my (or Sally’s) life.  My one big motivation however is to remember the bravery of my son and all the other amazing children who have to go through extreme challenges on a daily basis, in trying to beat this disease.  Please help in any way you can.

Thank You
Paul