An anaesthetist and a GP are embarking on a gruelling challenge to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
Dr Tim Molitor and Dr Danny Magona are setting out to canoe more than 100 miles over five days. They were inspired to raise funds after their friend Aria Nikjooy passed away from a rare brain tumour. Their route will take them from the University of Birmingham Medical School, where the trio met, to Manchester, where Aria lived with his wife Naomi and three-year-old son Eliyas (pictured) and started his training to become a paediatrician.
The pair will be paddling for up to eight hours a day and have already raised more than £2,200. You can follow their journey on social media where they will be sharing updates via Instagram @canoeingforaria.
Aria was diagnosed with a grade 4 cerebellar medulloblastoma in November 2018. He underwent surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and spent two-and-a-half months recovering in hospital. In March 2020 he was given the devastating news that the tumour had come back and he needed a second craniotomy. Just months later, in July, a routine MRI scan revealed further tumour recurrence and Aria required a third operation and more radiotherapy treatment.
He passed away on 8th February, aged 30.
To support Tim and Danny on their canoeing challenge, please visit their GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/canoeing-for-aria-nikjooy
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