A woman whose daughter lost her partner to a brain tumour has taken on a wing walk to raise awareness of the disease.
Elana Overs took to the skies to raise funds and awareness for our Fundraising Group, the Darel Bryan Foundation. She flew at speeds of up to 140mph, 600 feet above the Gloucestershire countryside on the wing of a 1940’s biplane.
Darel Bryan, who would have been 40 on 4th July, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in December 2014. He bravely fought the disease for 15 months, enduring multiple surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but sadly lost his battle in February 2016.
His partner of 12 years, Natalie Overs (Elana’s daughter) set up the Darel Bryan Foundation in his memory. Over the years, friends and family, as well as Darel’s work colleagues at the Clarion Housing Group have raised close to £200,000 for Brain Tumour Research, including the latest fundraising by Elana.
Elana said: “I wanted to do something for all those diagnosed with a brain tumour and facing a very uncertain future. Being diagnosed with any cancer is devastating, but brain tumours are indiscriminate and affect so many young people. We need to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure and the only way to do this is through research.
“It was an amazing experience and a real adrenaline rush! Seeing the world from a bird’s eye view with the wind rushing in my hair was incredible.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has donated so far, with my fundraising total currently standing at almost £9,000.”
To donate, please visit Elana’s fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elana-Overs
Related reading:
If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.