Areesha's story

3 years ago I lost one of my best mates to a brain tumour. She was also a mum, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an auntie. And she was only 35.

According to The Brain Tumour Charity, the average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of patients survive more than one year, and only 5% of patients survive more than five years.

Despite the shocking statistics, Areesha remained positive and hopeful for the future.

And in an effort to highlight the lack of investment and research in brain tumours, she even took on a fundraising campaign at her salon, Shaltons, to raise awareness and money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

It's hard to imagine how she she mustered such motivation and courage at at a frighteningly uncertain time, but that is who she was. Strong, spirited, committed.

The reality

For those facing a diagnosis, the stats are shocking:

* Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40

* Brain tumours reduce life expectancy by on average 27 years – the highest of any cancer

Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours.

Areesha deserved to live a long, happy life. She did not deserve to die from an under-researched, aggressive cancer that can barely be treated. She did not deserve this disease. And neither do the 33 people who will be diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK today.

I've worked closely with The Brain Tumour Charity since Areesha's death to better understand the barriers to investment, diagnostics, and leading patient care for brain tumour patients. It has been a true privilege to work with others in the community against this common enemy. I've met some amazing people, just like Areesha, all ultimately working towards a cure.

A cure simply cannot wait. I promised Areesha before she died that I would continue the work that she started - fighting for better awareness, better investment, more research, and a cure for brain tumours. She didn't ask me to do this, but this is a piece of her legacy that epitomises her unbelievable strength. And it is an honour to do this on her behalf.

The challenge: 100km for Areesha

In my first major fundraising effort for Areesha, this July I am taking on the Gower Peninsula 100km ultra challenge. This will be like nothing I have ever done before. A continuous hike around the Gower that will take 24 hours or more to complete and it will be brutal. I'm already feeling anxious - for me this is the challenge of a lifetime and I will be working hard to get myself ready for this.

Saying goodbye to Areesha was the hardest thing I've ever done. And whilst this challenge will be wildly difficult physically and mentally, it is *nothing* compared to what Areesha faced - being diagnosed with a brain tumour and ultimately knowing she would leave this world and everything she loved behind.

How you can help

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. Click the donate button to help me reach my goal, and honour Areesha's memory.

I'll be keeping her with me through every painful step, grateful to have known and loved her ♥︎

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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're 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.