On January 7th 2025 I experienced what turned out to be a life changing event. Whilst in bed with my partner, Chloe, I had a tonic clonic seizure which led to being admitted to A&E via ambulance. I underwent several scans to then be told the news that I had a brain tumour. Before this I had no symptoms, we left A&E on the 8th terrified of what the future would now look like.

I was then referred to the Walton Centre who conducted their own investigations. After initial reassurance, a perfusion MRI scan caused serious concern with my surgeon then believing I had a transforming glioma. I underwent a 7 hour emergency craniotomy on February 11th and notified that post-operative treatment was likely. I was discharged from hospital after just 2 nights and continued to recover at home whilst we waited to hear what was going to happen next.

On the 28th March I attended an appointment to receive the histology, which was thankfully much more favourable than initially thought. Thanks to the use of an amazing intra-operative MRI scan, my surgeon was able to achieve complete resection of a ‘golf ball’ sized tumour. I was told that the initial concerns regarding the nature of the tumour were thankfully incorrect and I had a rare slow growing low grade glioma which required no further treatment at this time.

In the space of less than three months myself, Chloe and our families had our worlds turned upside down, we experienced the lowest of all lows to gaining a newfound appreciation for life and those who have supported us through the darkest times.

My journey is by no means over and I will continue to be monitored by the amazing department at the Walton Centre.

Despite the fact nobody should ever be given such a diagnosis, I know how lucky I am to have come out the other side. Unfortunately the majority of people that find themselves in the neuro-oncology world are not as fortunate. I am not ashamed to admit that my own knowledge of brain tumours was basically none existent until my own diagnosis. There is still so much work to be done, a cure can’t wait.

Brain tumours do not discriminate and they do not respect boundaries. They can affect anybody, at anytime. Historically in the UK, brain tumours received well under 1% to low single-digit percentages of total cancer research funding. More recently, allocations have edged up to around 3%, but that remains disproportionately low.

This has motivated me to do everything I can to improve the future for all brain tumour patients. I am so proud to be part of The Brain Tumour Charity’s Team 2026 for the London Marathon. I will also be running the BTR Wirral 10K (October 2025), and the Liverpool half-marathon (March 2026).

I have always been obsessed with running and to being able to do London is a bucket list moment for me, and my dad who has forced me to run ever since I could walk!

Anything you can give to support myself, and people living with brain tumours is so appreciated.

Chris