A man whose brain cancer symptoms went undiagnosed for years and a mum who lost her husband just 53 days after diagnosis are among the many supporters who are running the TCS London Marathon for Brain Tumour Research this weekend.
Edward Lewis, originally from Brecon, Wales and now living in Hertfordshire, will be joined by his sister, Emma Eynon, and brother, Chris Lewis (above left, with Emma and Edward), for the race on Sunday (21st April), following Edward’s diagnosis with a grade 3 oligodendroglioma in June 2022.
Having been treated for anxiety and depression for three years prior, the discovery of a 6cm wide tumour in the middle of his brain came as a “complete shock” to Edward and his family, after he suffered a seizure.
The father of two, aged 36, underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. His tumour is now stable and is being monitored with three-monthly scans.
Edward, whose fundraising has already exceeded £16,000, said: “I went to the marathon to support a couple of people I knew about 10 years ago and the atmosphere was amazing. I remember thinking then how great it would be to run it one day and now I can’t wait.”
Also preparing for the 26.2-mile race is mum-of-two Karen Hagenaars, in memory of her beloved husband Renzo who died of a glioblastoma (GBM) in September 2018, aged just 41.
Renzo had been suffering from a loss of balance and blurred vision before his diagnosis with the aggressive, inoperable tumour located on top of his spinal column.
Karen, 44, who has raised more than £3,000 to fund vital research, said: “Renzo was so fit and active; he was always cycling, and he was never ill. He died just 53 days after first seeing his GP. When I was told there were no treatment options for him, it felt like the ground swallowed me up. I was so angry about what happened to him, and how little government funding goes towards researching brain tumours."
She added: “Thanks to investment in research, many other cancers are now much more survivable than they used to be but a GBM remains a death sentence, and it shouldn’t be. I felt powerless to stop it from happening to Renzo, but I want to stop it from happening to others.”
To support Edward’s fundraising, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ed-Lewis2024
To support Karen’s fundraising, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/karen-hagenaars-1694451033996
Would you like to be in with the chance of running this famous event next year? The ballot for the 2025 TCS London Marathon opens on Saturday (20th April) and closes on Friday 26th April. Enter here and if you’re lucky enough to secure a place, run for Brain Tumour Research to help find a cure.
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