I am taking part in the Brainathlon by running, walking and climbing to raise money for Brain Research UK, Brain Tumour Research and Epilepsy Research UK.

When my dad received the devastating diagnosis of his brain cancer in October 2020, he said he wanted to raise money for brain cancer research. We soon found out that his two tumours were stage 4 Glioblastomas, a very aggressive and very fast-growing type of cancer. No treatment is effective in the long term, and there is no cure. My dad's condition worsens on a weekly basis, he is now 'transfer only', which means he cannot walk or stand up by himself. He needs around the clock care as he can't do much unaided, his left side no longer works and we need medical assistance at least once a week. 

We were recently told that his inoperable tumour has grown and the other one that he received surgery for in November has grown back. We're now facing months and weeks until the end of his life, despite losing every bit of freedom he still manages to crack jokes constantly. 

Too many people are facing the devastation of a brain tumour diagnosis, with the prevalence on the rise. They are the biggest cancer killer for the under ’45s, account for 1 in 3 childhood cancer deaths, and come with a life expectancy reduction on average of 20years (the highest of all cancers). They kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer and more women under 35 than breast cancer. Only 11% of adults diagnosed make it to see 5years, with most only reaching 12-16months after diagnosis, compared to the 50% average when compared to all cancers (70% of breast cancer and over 40% for leukaemia patients). 

Brain cancer doesn't just reduce the length of your life but the quality of life is severely diminished too. The treatments available are extremely painful and come with a lot of negative side effects. They aren't very effective, in some cases fail to do anything at all and at best they can only buy a bit more time. Despite all of this only 1% of national funding is given to brain tumour research.

My efforts won't make a blind bit of difference in the outcome my family is facing but I hope that one day no other dad’s or families will have to go through this. My dad is one of four people I know to receive a brain tumour diagnosis, he is the only one still alive with our dear friend Stu passing a couple of weeks ago. I hope nobody else I know receives this devastating diagnosis, I hope the person reading this never has to experience the devastation of one either but if you do, I hope we're in a better position to fight it.

We want to help increase that fundraising, to increase the research and the treatment options, to give people and their families more time and to one day reach a cure.

If you can, please donate. X