Last year, my sister Joanna was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive and life-limiting brain tumour. She was always the chatty, life-loving member of the family but since her diagnosis, speech has become more difficult and her memory has been affected but that spark is still there. She has been stronger than I ever could be and I'm even more proud to call her my sister.

Joanna has had major brain surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and is now pursuing specialist immunotherapy treatment in Cologne through her Brainstrust appeal. The NHS, as amazing as it is has done all it can to help so this breakthrough treatment will provide much needed relief and hopefully prolonged life expectancy and comfort.

All the details are on her page (we have teamed up to joint fundraise and you can find it through my page)

I have run long distance for quite some time now and Joanna has always been on at me to do things for charity so I thought what better oppotunity than now?!

On 24th April this year, I’ll be running the full Wainright Coast to Coast route; around 300km (196 miles), self-supported, carrying my own kit across the Lakes, Dales and North York Moors.

I’m joining Joanna’s fundraising team with my own page, raising money directly towards her appeal under Brainstrust to help fund her specialist treatment and associated medical costs.

It'll be a tough old slog but a worthy cause.

We're doing well with donations across the board but we want to keep it going so she can continue to get the support needed to hopefully improve her quality of life and ultimately extend it too.

If you’re able to donate, thank you. If not, sharing the page or following along is just as appreciated.

Cheers

Sam

Joanna James and the appeal Joanna's Journey, is a restricted income fundraising partnership with, and under the umbrella of brainstrust, a Charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as Charity No. 1114634, and registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator as Charity No. SC044642. brainstrust are providing administrative and fundraising support to this appeal, and others of a similar nature. brainstrust does this to help people access novel therapies and treatment more easily and safely.

Brainstrust’s mission is to help people in the UK to feel less afraid, less alone, more confident and more resourced following a brain tumour diagnosis. Gift Aid recovered, surplus funds, and funds that are not applied for the primary purpose of this appeal will be used for public benefit to help others diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Brainstrust registered office: 4 Yvery Court, Castle Road, Cowes, Isle of Wigh