As Glioblastoma Awareness Week draws to a close, we’re grateful to all those rowers racing for research at the 22nd Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival, taking place today.
More than 20 teams are expected to compete over the 200m course on the city’s Willen Lake, watched by hundreds of spectators.
Amongst those taking part in this year’s event is Cat Heald, who will lead our team of rowers in the race, banging the drum for Brain Tumour Research.
Cat, 41, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2020, aged 35. Following surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she has gone on to defy the odds of this aggressive brain tumour – which has an average prognosis of just 12 to 18 months – maintaining stable scans.
Cat said: “I don’t dwell on how long I might have left; I live each day as it comes and try to stay as healthy as I can. When I do see the stats, I pause and think: I’m still here. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness by sharing my story, to give hope to others like me.”
Cat will be joined by her husband, Thom, and father, Dick Evans. “I’m really looking forward to getting out on the water as part of the Dragon Boat Festival,” Cat said. “I’ll be doing my best to beat the drum to keep everyone in time when I’m not rowing.”
Credit: NewWave Events
Cat added: “People often assume I’m cured, but brain tumours don’t work like that. I'm incredibly lucky to still be here, but there’s so much more research needed to give more patients that chance.”
Rowing alongside Cat and her family will be a squad of other selfless supporters, all of whom have been affected by the disease in some way, together demanding more investment in research into brain tumours.
We’re wishing them the very best of luck as they take to the water and join us in the race to find a cure.
You can donate to Brain Tumour Research via this year’s Dragon Boat Festival by visiting our team’s JustGiving page.
