In September 2018 Daisy was 23 years of age, symptoms started with forgetting how to start her car, turning on a tap or how to write a text. Daisy began worrying about her nutrition; obsessing over whether she was eating enough food and even avoiding situations where she might feel faint and weak. Daisy saw her GP to explain her symptoms, and was told to take better care of herself and to eat more regularly. Daisy felt that this wasn’t normal.

Over the next few months Daisy had regular absences in which her mind would go into a daze, often coupled with an intense feeling of fear and inability to speak. Daisy became worried about social situations and whether she would have an absence when speaking to someone, as she knew she would be unable to communicate.

In February 2019, Daisy experienced two tonic conic seizures, which are what most people think of when they think of a seizure. Unresponsive, shaking and convulsing. Unbeknown to her, Daisy had been having seizures for the previous 9 months, but they had been absences; “a loss in your surroundings for a short period of time”. This was horrific for a sportsperson, Daisy felt as if her body was giving up.

We found out on February 27th that Daisy had a brain tumour. Finally, an answer for why Daisy had been so fatigued, experiencing the horrible symptoms associated with the seizures. A large mass growing inside her brain. Months of testing and MRI scans around the UK lead to Daisy having the surgery on 23rd of August 2019. Awake craniotomy, which involved Daisy being awake for 3 hours, what an ordeal for a young person. The surgery was a success, thanks to the amazing team at Cardiff Heath Hospital.  

After recovering and completing her degree at the same time, Daisy is moving on with her life. Radio therapy is completed, a year of chemotherapy is just beginning.   

As many others have unfortunately experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional stress and complication to an already very challenging time. 

Daisy’s is a keen cyclist and her cycling family have committed to fundraising activities for the Brain tumour charity, an organisation which has been very supportive for Daisy and which has also seen a massive reduction in funding as a result of the pandemic. Backed by friends and supporters, Darrel, Mandy and Ed are setting about a huge cycling endurance challenge on 12 June 2021, riding 500km with over 7,000 metres of elevation in one day, from Swansea in south Wales to Bangor in north Wales and back.

We have a fundraising target of £2,000 and we are immensely grateful for any contributions, no matter how small. The team will press on with training and are inspired by the encouragement, support and love we all have for Daisy. Thank you!