Our Brighton Half Marathon for Ann Zommers

Runners: Holly Abel, Robyn Abel, Jordan Kennedy, Callum Kennedy, Leah Gorb and Mollie Moore.

In September 2023 our lives changed forever when our Aunty Ann was unexpectedly diagnosed with highly aggressive, grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) (brain cancer). After collecting her grandson from a Sunday football session, Ann had a seizure at the wheel of vehicle whilst driving and in the days following was given her diagnosis.

In the weeks and months that followed, Ann underwent intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in an attempt to shrink the tumour. Due to the nature of her tumour, it was sadly inoperable. Her typical “always on the go” character was traded with evening on the sofa, slow morning walks around clumber park, hot chocolates with bacon sandwiches, snuggles with Bella the dog, endless reality TV and a conveyor belt of Cadbury’s chocolate and sweet treats.

Despite the monumental efforts from a fantastic neurology team at Nottingham City Hospital, we were later told that there was nothing more that could be done. We spent the final few months making precious memories together. She had an endless stream of sleepovers in the living room, watched the sunset from her favourite beaches and gave us all enough love to last a lifetime. In her final few weeks, Ann was taken to John Eastwood Hospice in Nottinghamshire and spent the last 3 weeks of her life in the care of phenomenal medical staff who made comfort and calm a priority. They provided incredible support to both her and ourselves, making the difficult last stages as manageable as they could.

On 17th July 2024 Ann sadly passed away, only 10 months after her diagnosis. Coincidently, this also happened to be GBM awareness day.

Comprehending a life without her has been, and still very much is, incredibly challenging. She is missed desperately, everyday, by all of us. Ann was the head of the family, a devoted and proud grandmother to Jordan, Libby, Ellie and Callum and a fearless, protective aunt to Holly and Robyn. She was a head strong, independent woman, provided outstanding no nonsense advice and always prioritised her family and friends. She had an infectious positive energy, a laugh and a smile which lit up the room. She was honestly just incredible.

Both in memory of Ann and as a collective thank you to an important charity who fight to change the current odds for those facing a brain tumour diagnosis, a group of us will be running the Brighton Half Marathon on 2nd March. Right now Ann would be attempting to fuel us with anything sugar filled and encouraging us to skip any possible training session for an evening on the sofa, but we know somewhere, wherever her spirit may be right now, she is both immensely proud and happy to see us come together to celebrate her and give back.

Any donations big or small would be incredibly appreciated. X