Over the coming week, we pause to remember and honour Finlay Church, Michael Smith, Sue Thomas and Aaron Wharton, whose stories continue to inspire our mission.
Finlay Church – Forever 11
Tomorrow marks 10 years since Finlay Church (pictured above with mum, left, and family, right) passed away, aged 11, 17 months after his diagnosis with a glioblastoma. Despite undergoing three surgeries, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a clinical trial, nothing could save him.
Finlay’s extraordinary legacy includes raising around £100,000 for Brain Tumour Research, campaigning at Westminster with his parents, breaking a Guinness World Record, and being crowned Child of Courage at the Pride of Birmingham Awards in 2015. His family continues to fundraise in Finlay's memory, bringing the total close to £240,000. Last month, they placed 65 tiles on the Wall of Hope at our Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
Michael Smith – Forever in Our Hearts
On 26th November, it will be 10 years since Michael (pictured above with his parents), beloved son of Eileen and Terry, passed away, aged 27, following his diagnosis with an oligodendroglioma. Since his loss, Eileen and Terry have raised an incredible total of more than £98,500 for the Charity.
Their efforts include an annual rugby tournament in Michael’s memory and Terry’s gruelling challenges, such as this year’s 200-mile Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. Tireless campaigners for change, the couple regularly attend events at Westminster, including meetings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT), sharing Michael’s story to push for greater government investment.
Aaron Wharton – A Birthday we should be Celebrating
Two days later, on 28th November, the family of Aaron Wharton (pictured top) should be marking his 10th birthday. Instead, his mum Nicola, founder of our Fundraising Group Aaron’s Army, has set up a 10 for 10 fundraiser, asking people to take on 10 challenges over 10 days. Among those taking part are two of Aaron’s school friends, Caiden, who has dared himself to do 10 kick-ups in a row each day and Max, who is completing 10 laps on the computer game Gran Turismo every day, while challenging himself to beat his previous time.
Aaron lost his three-year battle with an anaplastic ependymoma, aged seven, in April 2023.
Sue Thomas – A Legacy of Love
On 1st December, we mark 10 years since Sue Thomas (pictured above with husband Dave) died, aged 57, following a diagnosis that began as a low-grade brain tumour and progressed to an aggressive glioblastoma.
Her family created the Fundraising Group The Song for Sue Foundation and host regular balls and football tournaments that have raised more than £74,000 to sponsor vital research.
If you have been touched by any of these tragedies, please consider a regular or one-off donation. You can add the name of any of the above in the comment section, if you have donated in their memory.
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