A woman who has lost three members of her family to the same type of brain tumour, at one in a billion odds, will lead a Walk of Hope to help find a cure for the disease. 

Claire Cordiner’s mum, Margaret O’Kane, died of a glioblastoma (GBM) in October 2008 aged 67. A year later, Claire’s youngest sister, Angie Jones (pictured on her wedding day, with Margaret), passed away from the same disease, when she was just 37. Shockingly Angie’s only child and Claire’s nephew, Max (pictured right), was then diagnosed with a GBM in June 2022. He died on Thursday 13^th July 2023, aged 18. 

“Brain tumours have absolutely devastated our family. They are so unpredictable and can affect anyone at any age. I felt totally helpless not being able to do anything for Mum and Angie, and I felt just as helpless for my nephew Max,” Claire said. 

Despite her family’s recent loss, Claire is stepping forward for our Walk of Hope Hamilton, taking place on Saturday 30^th September. She will lead walkers on an 8km-route through Chatelherault Country Park setting off from the beautiful 250-year-old hunting lodge. 

Claire, who has already raised more than £7,000 for Brain Tumour Research, added: “There is so little funding for brain tumours which is disgraceful. So much more needs to be done to research them. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.” 

Our Walk of Hope events are taking place across the UK on Saturday 30^th September. Join one of our walks or sign up to do your own, wherever you are and whenever you can. Click here to register. 

Related reading: 

• Step forward for Walk of Hope and help find a cure
• Young patient’s family to lead Walk of Hope 

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