One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour.

I was lucky enough to be in the "other two" unaffected, till 2 years ago.

In early 2023, at the age of 39, after years of being symptomatic, my brother was finally diagnosed with a meningioma. Due to the size, emergency surgery was the only option; this took place just weeks after his diagnosis and before his 40th Birthday. Skip forward through a tough recovery and regaining his life and he's doing amazingly well. His recent scan revealed no re-growth.

However, early 2025 brought further news when my close friend, age 37, attended hospital for unrelated reasons, was also diagnosed. There were concerns from the Dr's that she was presenting with symptoms so a CT Head scan was requested; this identified 2 meningiomas. For now, she is on the active surveillance pathway but may likely need surgery in the future. Her recent scan showed no further growth.

I've now begun to realise that this disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. It is the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Help fund the fight.

Being so close to my heart and having been inspired by these two people, especially my brother, watching and supporting him through his surgery and recovery, I decided I wanted to give something back to a charity who can help the future of this diagnosis and help find a cure.

I've challenged myself in 2026 to run a half marathon, every month, in the aim to raise a minimum of £1,370 for Brain Tumour Research. This amount would cover the cost of half a days research; £2,740 would cover a full days research.

As well as fund raising, I want to share these stories to provide hope, as well as raise awareness of Brain Tumours and the great work this orginisation does.

I'm going to find this challenge tough but it's no comparison to what the person receiving this diagnosis and their loved ones go through.

If you'd like to follow my fund raising journey and see my share these stories, please drop me a follow on Instagram @rebecca_runs2026.

Finally, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this and for any donation, like, follow, share or comment. I really do appreciate it.