Brain Tumour Research is proud to welcome stars of the rugby pitch, Tom and Vicky Chapman, as our newest Ambassadors.
With more than 150 National League appearances to his name, Tom was in peak physical fitness and had just returned from his dream honeymoon with World Cup-winning Vicky when he was struck down by a seizure. Vicky performed CPR in their living room before paramedics arrived and took Tom to hospital where a scan confirmed a brain tumour.
Tom had surgery which successfully removed the tumour, but a few weeks later, the couple were dealt a devastating blow and told it was a grade 4 astrocytoma.
“My prognosis is five years, which, when you’re 31, fit and healthy and newly married, isn’t what you expect to hear,” said Tom.
Tom playing for Blackheath and after his surgery
Four weeks after surgery, Tom had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, during which he continued to exercise and to coach rugby at Old Colfeians.
In August, Tom took on an epic Crossfit challenge alongside Vicky – who lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 – which saw the worlds of rugby and fitness collide to take on 24 workouts in as many hours.
Vicky, Tom and his brother Henry at the 24-hour challenge
The incredible feat of endurance raised £20,000 for Brain Tumour Research. Earlier this month, the couple met with researchers at our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London to discover how those funds will help find new treatments.
“The problem is brain tumour patients often don’t have the luxury of time, which is why investment in research needs to happen now. At the moment, it feels like a one-size-fits-all approach, but patients aren’t all starting from the same point. I refuse to be defined by an average,” added Tom.
Tom and Vicky are now converting their fierce determination on the pitch into positive action in the hope their support will help drive change.
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