WHY I'M RUNNING for the Brain Tumour Charity:

“Sticking with your family is what makes it a family.”

- Mitch Albom, American Author.

Themes of Hope and Kindness weave throughout Mitch Albom's books, plays and films. This quote best captures how I feel about family. My family has stuck with me showing up with hope and kindness helping me to raise over $30,000 US dollars for charities as I've run 10 marathons.

On Sunday, September 29th, 2024 I will be running in the 50th Anniversary BMW Berlin, Germany Marathon. My goal is to run all 6 World Major Marathons. I'm half way there having run Chicago, New York and Boston. Berlin, Tokyo and London remain. I'm also running to help model doing really hard things is possible with grit, perseverance and tenacity coupled with an amazing support system of family, friends, and strangers!

I'm raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity, a UK Charity that is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. I specifically selected this charity because it is a very meaningful charity to our family.

Ten years ago my niece, Elise, in her early teens was diagnosed with a Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a brain tumour which required two operations to fully resect. While she has been very fortunate and has made an almost complete recovery she still lives with acute Migraines and the fact that the tumour may recur.

Six months prior to my brother in law, Nicholas, suffered from a Craniopharyngioma, a brain tumor derived from pituitary gland embryonic tissue. He underwent transphenoidal surgery to remove his pituitary gland and as a result has Hypopituitarism.

Nicholas and Elise through faith, excellent medical care teams, support from The Brain Tumour Charity, family, friends and their own perseverance continue to do well.

The Brain Tumour's Charity's VISION is for people diagnosed with a brain tumour to live longer and better lives.

The Brain Tumour's Charity's primary goals are to double survival by 2030 and to halve the harm that brain tumours have on quality of life by 2030

Please consider a donation to support this amazing charity allowing for ongoing research for patients and their families.

With Gratitude,

Kevin O'Connor