Michelle was diagnosed with a highly aggressive stage 3/4 brain tumour (glioblastoma) in November 2022. In January 2023 she underwent an operation at Southampton Hospital, however surgeons were unable to entirely remove the tumour due to its location. Michelle's condition is life-limiting - the average survival time for a grade 4 astrocytoma is 12-18 months. Sadly, only 25% of people with a grade 4 astrocytoma survive more than one year, and only 5% survive more than five years.

Michelle spent two months recovering in hospital and when discharged, she had limited mobility, together with memory and communication problems and required significant care and support. Those who know Michelle will know she can be stubborn and persistent!! She was determined to regain her independent living and to get back to the job she loved at M&S as she missed her customers. Happily, Michelle's residual tumour is currently behaving itself and at the end of September she returned to work part-time with the support of her employer.

However, Michelle knows she is living on borrowed time. When her tumour stops behaving, she has been told it is likely to grow quickly and further surgery will not be possible. Radiotherapy may be possible to slow it down, however the brain can only take so much radiation.

Michelle is determined to make a difference to others. Each year in the UK, 12,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. They reduce life expectancy by on average 27 years - the highest of any cancer. Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvement 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.

So on 23rd March, Michelle, supported by her friend Paula, will be walking the 10km Twilight Walk to raise as much money as they possibly can for the Brain Tumour Charity. All your donations are very much appreciated!

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And they are doing it right now. Because they understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.