Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I have set it up because on the 22nd October 2013 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour in my right frontal lobe.

It was found during a routine scan for Meningitis - after 5 days of tests and scans the neurologist took me and mum into a room after I had spent a few days on the Dunston Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital, and told us that it was a virus which had made me sick it was not Meningitis, however in the CT and MRI scans showed a brain tumour.

Neurologists at Addenbrokes in January 2014 confirmed it to be a low grade Oligodendroglioma (grade 2) which are a very rare form of cancerous brain tumour. Had it reached a later grade to start showing symptoms it may have been too late for me. So I am very blessed to have had it found by accident before it became more complicated.

I had my brain surgery on the 28th February 2014, where they removed the bulk of the brain tumour. Tests showed it to be an Astrocytoma mix as well - a more aggressive form of brain cancer than originally thought, and it is being monitored with scans, we believe due to my genetics though it will be slower growing than normal (fingers crossed) but this is uncertain and radio therapy will be on the cards if it starts to grow back.

This type of tumour does grow back unfortunately - it is not 'gone' for good, and therefore it may not be the end of this for me in the coming months but something I have to live with for the rest of my life. However that is what I get to enjoy - the rest of my life. Thanks to the research done so far, the incredible surgeons, and the ongoing developments in brain surgery - but still they remain underfunded and this is what I am trying to help with. 

Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of all cancer research donations - despite it being the number 1 cancer responsible for deaths in children and adults under 40.

People do not like to talk about it, so it has not received the media attention it deserves and I hope to change this and let you share this fight with me. Thank you for the continued support, I could not do this without such great family, friends, and even strangers sending their kind words.

My story has received lots of media coverage and I am pleased to give my name to this cause and use the publicity I get to raise awareness and fund the right for Brain Tumour Research.

I have had media coverage in the Sunday Mirror, Daily Mail, a variety of women's magazines and local newspapers, and recently won the Radio Norwich Hero Awards as well for my work in helping the community throughout my recovery. As well as a variety of TV appearances across Europe - all of which raise awareness for brain cancer.

In 2015 I am running the London Marathon - something I have always wanted to do, and would love your support, it will be hard, as my fitness levels are not what they once were - I get tired so easily now, but it will be a challenge to show brain cancer could not stop me.

Thank you all for your kind donations, for sharing this page and for funding the fight with us for Brain Tumour Research

Kerri Parker xxx

Thanks to the following donations raised offline in support of us:

Skydive by Su Ford over £600 raised for Brain Tumour Research

Kerri's Kick Off charity football match over £1500 raised for Brain Tumour Research

Sotogrande quiz night in Spain over £650 raised for Brain Tumour Research

Allure Fashion Show at Talc Norwich over £100 raised so far for Brain Tumour Research