Sara Govier from Burry Port in Wales, was an active 15-year-old preparing for her GCSE’s when she began experiencing headaches and low energy. Thinking it was nothing more than teenage growing pains and her upcoming exams, Sara’s parents were shocked when doctors diagnosed their daughter with a brain tumour.
Almost six years later, Sara, now 21, has moved to London and has learned to navigate life living with a brain tumour.
Sara’s mum, Mererid, tells her story…
In September 2019, Sara was a normal 15-year-old, busy preparing for her GCSEs. She had been complaining of headaches, feeling tired and low on energy, but we just put it down to being a teenager. Like many parents, my husband and I were both working full time, her younger sister, Elen, was at school too, and life was busy. We never imagined those symptoms could be a sign of something serious.
We visited the GP, who referred us to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. Sara underwent an MRI scan and blood tests. That was when we received the diagnosis: a pituitary adenoma, a tumour on the pituitary gland.
I’d never even heard of this type of brain tumour before. We were shocked, scared and overwhelmed.
Sara also had an ECG and ultrasound scans, and we were so grateful for the quick care provided by the NHS. Our GP reassured us that the tumour was benign and treatable but hearing the word "tumour" in relation to your child is utterly terrifying. I remember our consultant sitting with us and drawing diagrams to explain what was happening in Sara’s brain. He was incredibly kind and really put Sara at ease, which made a big difference.
In the months that followed, Sara began treatment, initially taking medication twice a week. Although we were relieved there was a plan in place, the side effects took their toll.
Sara lost a lot of weight and experienced frequent fainting spells, especially tough as she entered sixth form and began her A-levels.
There were days she had to skip lessons, and once she even fainted after running in a school athletics event. When I asked her about it, Sara simply said: “Mum, I know. I should’ve said I wasn’t feeling well.” It’s moments like that you don’t forget.
The experience had a profound effect on the whole family. Her younger sister, just 13 at the time, was deeply impacted. We’ve all cried, we’ve all struggled, but we’ve supported each other through every step.
Despite all she’s faced, Sara did incredibly well in her GCSEs and A-levels and has gone on to live a full and active life. Now 21, she’s living in London and even spent last summer working at Camp America, something we’re so proud of her for doing. She continues to attend routine appointments and recently had to resume treatment due to an increase in prolactin levels, but she handles it all with such strength.
I've done the 200k in May Your Way challenge for Brain Tumour Research because we had never heard of this disease before Sara’s diagnosis. Like many, we assumed brain tumours were rare. But we’ve since learned that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – and yet this disease receives just 1% of the national spend on cancer research. That has got to change.
My husband Gareth, who’s 51, is also taking part in the challenge. I have already completed 200k and have reached 300k by walking and cycling. Gareth has reached 400k and together we have raised nearly £600!
We've done this not just for Sara, but for every family who’s been blindsided by this devastating disease.
We want to help raise awareness and ensure that other parents know the signs, ask the questions, and never have to go through the same shock and fear we did. Brain tumours are complex, underfunded, and often misunderstood. We’re determined to help change that, one kilometre at a time.
Mererid Govier
May 2025
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been inspired by Sara’s story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
