A Kent woman who lost her best friend to brain cancer has used her grief for good by raising awareness of the disease.
Emma Pendrill, 43, from West Malling, took to Teston Country Park on Sunday 29th September, along with nine of her colleagues from Charities Aid Foundation, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. The inspiring team walked for four hours and covered 10 miles in celebration of the lives of friends and family who have died from brain tumours, including Emma’s best friend Alex Cavanagh.
Alex (pictured below) died in October 2023, just six months after a series of headaches prompted a scan that revealed several tumours growing on her brain. At the same time she was also diagnosed with melanoma. Despite immunotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, Alex deteriorated quickly. She died at home, aged 42, surrounded by her family, leaving behind her three daughters, then aged 22, 11 and eight.
Emma and Alex met at school and had been friends for more than 30 years. Emma (pictured top with Alex on her left) said: “Alex was by my side from when we were 12. If I can raise some money and awareness to help other people like her in future, I think she’d like that.
“Before Alex’s diagnosis, I knew very little about brain tumours. I have since come to understand the importance of research into the disease, which is why the fundraising challenge was in support of Brain Tumour Research.”
Emma and her team raised more than £2,000 to help further our vision to find a cure for all types of brain tumours. During the same weekend, hundreds of people in London, Motherwell, Torpoint, Ellesmere and Chatsworth House took part in our annual Walk of Hope, also in support of our cause.
You can aid Emma’s efforts by donating to us via her JustGiving page.
If you’re feeling inspired and want to be among the first to find out about next year’s Walk of Hope, sign up for our e-news here.
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Published Wednesday 9th September 2024.