A brain tumour patient who lost her childhood best friend to the disease is stepping forward to help find a cure.
Ellen Yates relied on her closest and oldest friend, Dawn Rogers Parkyn, for support when she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma nearly a decade ago in 2015. Although she now suffers from memory loss, temporary paralysis and dizzy spells, Ellen counts herself “the lucky one” after Dawn died just seven months after receiving her own diagnosis with a glioblastoma (GBM) in 2021.
Having dedicated much of her time since her diagnosis to raising awareness of brain tumours, Ellen is now getting ready to step out alongside hundreds of supporters as she takes part in our Walk of Hope on Saturday 28th September.
Ellen preparing for Walk of Hope
She said: “Brain tumours and brain cancer seem to be dirty words that get swept under the carpet. I’ll stand up and shout about it from the rooftops; more funding is needed if we are to find a cure.”
As well as raising thousands for charities through her volunteer work and by selling crocheted characters, Ellen also created the South West Brain Tumour Friendship Group on Facebook which has a community of more than 100 members.
“If I can help just one person feel not as alone as I did, then I will feel like I’ve been given my brain tumour for a reason,” she added.
“Having a brain tumour has changed my life, but it’s given me a chance to smell the roses in a way. I was always running around at 100mph, now I know to appreciate every moment.”
To support Ellen’s fundraising, please visit her JustGiving page by clicking here.
Walk of Hope is our annual national event raising money to bring hope to brain tumour patients and their families. Join one of our events taking place in London, Motherwell, Torpoint, Ellesmere and Chatsworth House, or organise your own wherever you are. To find out more and register, click here.
Related reading:
Published Friday 9th August 2024.