Five years after losing her husband Mark to a glioblastoma, Mandy Calaz is honouring his memory by turning grief into action through fundraising and Walk of Hope. She shares why she steps out in Mark’s memory every year and is urging others to get involved.
I still can’t quite believe it’s been five years since we lost Mark.
Last weekend, I finally got to give him the kind of send-off he deserved. Because he died during the COVID-19 pandemic, we weren’t able to organise a big funeral for everyone to say their goodbyes. So I brought together our friends, family and colleagues to celebrate his life – sharing stories, photos and memories of a man who truly was larger than life.
Mark loved the outdoors. He was never happier than when he was hiking in the mountains or out on Salisbury Plain. He had such an adventurous spirit, and he inspired that in others too – especially through his work with the Army Cadet Force, where he organised expeditions and led young people through challenges like Ten Tors.
In 2019, our lives changed overnight. Mark had been feeling unwell and was initially treated for sinusitis, but when he collapsed at home, everything suddenly became very real. At Southampton General Hospital, we were told there was a tumour in his brain, likely a glioblastoma. He was just 52.
I remember the shock of being told there was no cure. That treatments hadn’t really improved in decades. That Mark might only have 12 to 18 months to live.
It was devastating. But as time went on, we realised we had to do something positive with the time we had left. We decided to support Brain Tumour Research, to try and bring hope to other families – even if it was too late for us.
Our first fundraising challenge was a Walk of Hope. We kept it simple, walking around our local town, because I knew if Mark got tired, we could stop for a rest at a café.
After Mark passed away on 4th July 2021, I made him a promise: that I would keep going. That I would keep fighting for better treatments and, one day, a cure.
That’s when I set up M & M Adventures, our Fundraising Group in his memory. One of the first things we did was to take on another Walk of Hope, this time across Salisbury Plain near our home. I carried some of Mark’s ashes with me, which made it incredibly emotional but also very special.
Since then, we’ve taken part every year.
Sadly, this journey isn’t one I’ve walked alone. Andy (pictured below with Mandy) – a close friend of Mark’s, who supported me so much before and after Mark died – was also diagnosed with a glioblastoma and passed away last year. His wife, Hayley, and I now support each other in a way that only people who have been through this can truly understand.
Last weekend’s celebration was for both Andy and Mark.
Now, I’m inviting others to join me again.
This September, I’ll be organising my sixth Walk of Hope – for Mark, for Andy, and for everyone affected by brain tumours. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it really does make a difference. You can organise your own walk anywhere that’s meaningful to you and ask people to donate to take part.
Every step helps fund vital research. Every step brings us closer to a cure.
If you feel inspired by our story, I’d love you to join Walk of Hope too.
Take part in our flagship event at Chatsworth in Derbyshire or organise your own .
Every step you take will help fund life-changing research and bring hope to those facing a brain tumour diagnosis.
Register today and be part of the movement to find a cure.
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