A man who lost the ability to walk after he was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumour as a child has completed the Leicester 10K to raise funds to help find a cure for the disease.
Sam Cherry was just 11 years old when he was diagnosed in March 2004. It came after he had experienced migraine-type headaches over several years.
Sam had three brain surgeries to try to remove the tumour. During the first operation, which lasted 13 hours, a nerve was damaged behind his left eye, leaving him with permanent sight loss. He later developed hydrocephalus – a build up of fluid on the brain – and had a shunt fitted to drain it.
The tumour and surgeries also affected Sam’s balance, leaving him needing to use a wheelchair. He said: “I had to learn how to walk again by clinging to walls and holding my parents’ hands. Today, I have around 50% vision in my left eye, live with epilepsy and memory loss, and I still go to Nottingham every year for MRI scans. I also can’t go through airport scanners because my shunt is sensitive to magnets, so I take a medical card with me to prove it. This is a lifelong journey – not something that just goes away.”
Yesterday, Sam took on the 10km race through the streets of Leicester to raise awareness and money for Brain Tumour Research. He crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 52 minutes and 43 seconds and has raised more than £500 so far.
Sam on race day, with his dad
It’s the latest in a series of fundraising endeavours which have now topped more than £6,000. Sam has previously held quiz nights and organised football matches to support the Charity.
“This run was my way of proving that even after something as life-changing as a brain tumour, I can still push myself and achieve things. Every step I took is a reminder of how far I’ve come from being in a wheelchair as a child,” he added.
Show your support for Sam’s impressive fundraising feat by donating to his JustGiving page.
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