Jane Roberts, who has an inoperable brain tumour, will line up for Sunday’s Newport Half marathon in her specially designed costume.
By Helen Rogers
Once I set my mind to something, I usually see it through!
Jane
Jane Roberts, 47, from Bristol, has already had to face “things I never imagined” since her diagnosis with a brain tumour in March last year. Jane, who works in HR and is married with an 11-year old daughter, visited her GP after noticing varied symptoms, including memory loss, brain fog, fatigue, irritability, and itchy skin and ears.
“I was convinced it was perimenopause,” she said. “Friends had just started HRT, and I assumed it was just my turn.” When her GP ordered further tests, including a CT scan, Jane worried about wasting NHS resources.
Being told that she had a brain tumour was “heartbreaking” – and it was a further blow to learn that her tumour is incurable, and inoperable. Currently in good health, Jane has regular scans to monitor her tumour, which is stable at the moment. She’s also thrown herself into fundraising, setting up Supporter Group Hope for Brains.
But coming to terms with her diagnosis is understandably difficult: I’m still figuring out how to live with this long-term. Physically, I feel well — and I’m incredibly grateful for that. But mentally, it’s been very tough,” she said. “I fear for my husband and daughter, and the impact my loss would have on them.”
Running a half marathon dressed as a brain: A half marathon with a difference!
Jane has never considered herself a “proper runner.” But this Sunday, April 19th will see her line up for the Newport Half Marathon, alongside a 14-strong team of friends, who are taking on the Half Marathon and the 10k to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.
She’ll be wearing a unique costume, made for her by a local seamstress, Samantha Batlle, and will run “dressed as a giant brain” to raise awareness of brain tumours.
Jane’s brain-shaped costume was made for her by a local seamstress, Sandra Batlle
I thought — if I’m going to do a half marathon, I’m going to do it properly! If the goal is to raise awareness as well as funds, I needed something that would stand out. I put a call out on my local Facebook group, and a kind local seamstress offered to make one.She’s done all the work for free.
“Since being diagnosed, I’ve become much less worried about what other people think. I’m more willing to be silly, to have fun, and just go for it!”
Jane
Jane admits she hasn’t run in the costume yet. “I’m slightly nervous about whether it’ll be too hot, heavy, or rub in the wrong places. That could make for a long few hours!
“I’m expecting the run to be hard, especially as my training hasn’t been perfect. But when it gets tough, I’ll remind myself why I’m doing it. Every step is raising money. Every step is raising awareness. In a giant brain costume – I’m pretty hard to miss!
“I’m dreading that my knee might not hold up over the full 21km. I’m prepared to walk if I need to – I won’t give up completely. The run is a reminder to myself that I can do hard things. Since my diagnosis, I’ve already had to face things I never imagined — and this is another one.”
A team of friends is running with Jane, raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.
The run is just one of several events that Jane is organising this year to raise vital funds for research into brain tumours. She held a hugely successful “Candlelight to Dancefloor” event over two nights last month, raising over £10,000 – as well as improving brain tumour awareness in her local community.
“I can’t control what’s happening to me, but I can try to make a difference — however small — for others. The funds raised might support a researcher for a day, a week, a month… and that time could lead to something important,” says Jane. “I also want to use my voice. I can’t just sit back and wait for things to happen — I need to feel like I’m doing something.
“And now that I’ve met others in this community, it’s not just about me anymore. I don’t want this to happen to them, either.”
Take on a fundraising challenge
If you’re inspired by Jane and want to take on a fundraising challenge of your own, there are so many ways to get involved. Click the button below to find out more!
