As 2025 draws to a close, the publication of the New Year’s Honours List 2026 brings wonderful news for our community. One of our incredible supporters – and a brain tumour patient herself – has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to Brain Tumour Research and other charities.
Katie’s journey began in 2015 when, aged just 30, she was diagnosed with an oligoastrocytoma. A former Special Needs teacher and Head of English, Katie had only recently returned from her honeymoon when she started experiencing persistent, agonising headaches. Surgery followed, but doctors warned that the tumour would return and become aggressive.
In 2018, nine months after giving birth to her son Eli, Katie faced the devastating news that her tumour had come back and was now high-grade – recategorised as an oligodendroglioma. She underwent a second surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, losing most of her hair and living with the life-changing effects of treatment, including extreme fatigue and the constant fear of recurrence.
Katie and Luke renewed their vows with Eli to mark their 10th wedding anniversary.
Despite these challenges, Katie has shown extraordinary resilience and determination. Through her fundraising group Brainstorm, she has organised an incredible range of events and activities – from a black-tie charity ball and auctions to supermarket stalls, cake sales, and her inspiring 15 for 15 challenges marking Brain Tumour Research’s 15th anniversary, as well as celebrating reaching her 40th birthday milestone. Altogether, Katie has raised close to £74,000 to help fund vital research and bring us closer to better outcomes for brain tumour patients.
Katie’s impact goes beyond fundraising. She has bravely shared her story to raise awareness of this devastating disease and the urgent need for more investment in research. Her advocacy has reached national audiences, including two appearances on ITV’s Lorraine, and she has also attracted widespread regional coverage, particularly when chosen as a Queen’s Baton Bearer ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Thank you, Katie – and thank you to all our incredible supporters – for everything you’ve done throughout 2025 to bring us closer to a cure. We wish you a peaceful and hopeful New Year.
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