The sister of a man who died from a brain tumour is taking part in our Skip 10 Minutes Every Day in November challenge to help find a cure for the disease.
Amanpal Uppal, known as Pali, 37, was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in May 2021. He had an operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the NHS, but the “lack of treatment options” led the family to raise £130,000 to access private treatment in Germany.
His sister, Nikki Mandviwala, said: “When we were told Pali had a brain tumour, we just didn’t believe it. He was so young so how could this happen to him? Doctors said the tumour was aggressive and inoperable, and Pali would only have 10 to 18 months to live. Because of the lack of treatment options on the NHS, we researched options all over the world; we were determined to beat it and we didn’t stop. We ended up raising £130,000 to cover two years’ worth of a drug from Germany.”
Despite this, dad-of-two Pali died at home on 23rd December 2022.
Nikki is now fundraising for Brain Tumour Research to prevent future families from experiencing the same devastations as hers. She added: “I’m so angry the Government gives so little funding to brain tumours; it doesn’t recognise them as a critical priority, it’s ridiculous. Before he died, I promised my brother I would do something to try and help others who are fighting this devastating disease, so I’m doing the skipping challenge in his memory.”
To support Nikki’s fundraising, please donate by clicking here.
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