In March 2017 my lovely grandfather passed away after battling a glioblastoma multiforme (a particularly aggressive form of cancerous brain tumour) for just over a year. A few months later, my incredibly brave, smart and talented cousin Josh was also diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (a particular subtype known as a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, DIPG) at the age of 15. 

Horrifyingly, a diagnosis of glioblastoma mulitforme comes with a devastating prognosis - only 25% of people with this tumour will survive more than one year. 

While the survival rates of children and young adolescents with cancer, on the whole, has increased since 1950, this is not the case for those with DIPG. The DIPG survival rate has been stuck at 0%, and while there are more clinical trials happening over the world now, there is still far to go. For a bit of context: there were no clinical trials for DIPG in 2011, today there are 70 happening worldwide although not one of those is happening in the UK. Currently, there are no approved or validated evidence-based effective treatments or cures available for DIPG - and the survival time from diagnosis for a child is only 9 months. 

We can do better, we must do better. 

If you would like to learn more about DIPG specifically, I highly recommend looking at 'Abbie's Army'. Abbie's Army is another excellent charity, specifically focussing on funding Children's DIPG brain tumour research.

All money raised will be given to The Brain Tumour Charity. The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we are doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.

I would be greatly appreciative to anyone who can spare any amount of money to sponsor me for my half marathon. If you know me at all you know I absolutely despise running (always have) and have spent most of my life avidly arguing against the practice of running, but I hate brain tumours more so I better run.

THE RUN DETAILS:

I shall be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 23rd of May. However, if the delightful coronavirus decides to thwart my plans, I shall just run 13.1 miles around Surrey instead on the 23rd of May! Either way, I shall be a panting asthmatic dog on the 23rd of May as I attempt to run a Half Marathon...