Category: Supporter stories

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a unique human story. On #WorldCancerDay this year, the call to action is for a more people-centred approach to cancer care.

Rachel Hirst, 26, a Young Ambassador from 2024-26, shares her experience of being a Young Ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Lily, 19, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was six.. Now studying to be a doctor, here she shares her story – and her tips for a brilliant Big Bake.

Amy, from Bathgate, West Lothian, devised her own Active Autumn challenge, to feel stronger and fitter after months of tough treatment.

Inspired by her lovely mum, Elle and a gang of family and friends are taking on Africa’s highest mountain

David Waters, from Edinburgh, was four when he lost his dad John, 39, to a brain tumour in 1992. Over the last 12 months, David’s taken on 16 different fitness events in a year of paying tribute to his dad.

When Becca and Ted Thomson-Glover found out their son wouldn’t survive his brain tumour, they wanted to know what to expect so that some things were in their control. Now they’ve recorded a podcast to help others going through that agonising time.

Kirsty, from Kinross, was studying for a nursing degree when a brain tumour diagnosis changed everything. Six years later, she’s using her crafting skills – and love of pigs! – to raise funds.

Newly-weds Jeremy and Lottie Daubeny are shunning sun loungers in favour of saddles on an epic bike ride from Australia back to the UK.

After spending 34 years in the British Army, Chris Fowke knew about resilience and discipline. But even that hadn’t prepared him for his biggest challenge yet: recovering from a brain tumour.

Rhiannon, from Staffordshire, is helping raise awareness in Eye Health Week.

A teacher from Kent has urged others to advocate for themselves after her migraines were repeatedly dismissed – only to discover that she had a brain tumour. 

Explore the supportive relationship and stories of loss behind Helena Traill’s sculpture auction.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the six World Major Marathons. This year The Brain Tumour Charity has 37 runners taking part, including Will Snelson from Cheshire, Young Ambassador Catherine Hogan, Nicole Cutler, from Boston, Massachusetts and one of our own team: Matt Beagley.

When truck driver Kieran Shingler was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and later lost his mum to lung cancer, his childhood sweetheart – Abbie – supported him every step of the way. 

Eleven years after her diagnosis, Helen will line up at the Brighton and Hove triathlon to mark her milestone birthday – and raise funds.

When you sign up for the London to Brighton Bike Ride, you’re not just taking on a 55-mile challenge. You’re riding for people like Bill Quaile, and for the thousands of families affected by brain tumours every year.

Goodbye Gladys the glioma! Jayne Ashman tells her brain tumour diagnosis story – finding out she’d also had a stroke, and finding comfort in humour thanks to our online support group.

Adam, from Broxbourne, alongside friend Laura, is taking on a huge endurance challenge – his toughest yet – in memory of his little girl, Orla, who died from a rare brain tumour in 2023.

To remember her and raise funds, Trefor, Glynwen’s husband, and Brenda, her former work colleague, walked 127 miles in May, along the pilgrimage trail from Twywn to Aberdaron in North Wales.

When Daniel Jones woke with agonising shoulder pain in September 2024, he thought painkillers might fix it. Little did he know he was living with a brain tumour. Now he’s urging other people not to brush off any unusual aches and pains.

Dan Schneider, from Hampshire, is aiming to be the first ever to hike up, then bike down, the UK’s three peaks.

Anna and Chris are taking a big leap on “Skydive Weekend” to mark World Brain Tumour Day.

Chris, family and friends walked 131 miles in March, a mile for each known brain tumour type.