A teenager diagnosed with an ultra-rare brain tumour has inspired his father to take on a month-long walking challenge to raise money to help find a cure for the devastating disease.
Ian Bateman, 53, from Shropshire, is preparing to take part in our 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge.
His fundraiser comes just two months after his 18-year-old son, Ben, finished treatment for an astroblastoma he was diagnosed with in April 2022 – a form of brain cancer so rare that it affects fewer than one in a million.
Ben’s doctors needed to confer with international specialists to determine the best treatment plan. He had surgery followed by seven weeks of intense proton beam therapy and completed a year of chemotherapy in November 2023.
Former paramedic, Ian, said: “It was terrifying to find out Ben had brain cancer, let alone its type was so rare that doctors didn’t know how to treat it.”
Ben is now studying aviation and is hoping for two years of clear scans so he can fulfil his dream of joining the military.
Meanwhile, Ian, who has paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – a heart condition which causes palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath – will be walking 10,000 steps every day this month to raise awareness to help find kinder treatments for patients.
He said: “This will be tough for me as I navigate my own health concerns but it’s incredibly important to talk about brain tumours. If we are to understand each type and how it can be treated, we need the correct investment into research.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Ian’s challenge, please visit: www.facebook.com/donate/363816163035755/7759070697441642/
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