Whether it’s a close friend or a relative, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been touched by cancer at some point in their lives. As an Anaesthetist in the NHS, I have had an almost daily exposure to people who are undergoing care for some form of cancer, but it was only recently that I had to encounter cancer on a personal level.

For me, Brain Cancer has touched two people very close to my heart. 

In 2013, my kind and loving mother-in-law, Amita, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. This came as a complete shock to the family as she was only in her 50’s and previously fit and healthy. She sadly passed away just 10 weeks after her diagnosis. 

It’s a common saying - 'lightning doesn’t strike twice'. 

Earlier this year, one of my closest childhood friends, Ronak, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He’s an inspiration; still fighting and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, having had major brain surgery and radiotherapy earlier this year. 

These experiences have brought to light how underfunded brain tumour research is in the UK. It's surprising that it receives less than 1% of national cancer research funding. However more people under the age of 40 die from a brain tumour than any other cancer, and unfortunately it is the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK. 

The strength and positivity that both Ronak and Amita displayed during their therapy, alongside the shattering effect that their diagnoses have had on their loved ones, has inspired me to run the London Marathon 2019 for Brain Tumour Research. 

This brilliant charity is dedicated to funding continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. I pledge to raise over £3,000 in the hope that one day, no family have to hear the devastating word 'incurable'. 

So please, dig deep and donate whatever you can :)