A man who broke his back during a tumour-induced seizure has got back on his bike to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Andy Morris, 56, from Bedfordshire, fractured his spine in November 2023 during a seizure as he recovered from surgery to remove walnut-sized low-grade meningioma from his brain.
Less than a year later, the business development director is taking part in a 500-mile sponsored relay which will see him and a team of four friends travel the length of the Loire Valley in France. Their efforts have already raised £3,000 to help find a cure.
Before he set off on his epic journey last Friday (20th September), Andy said: “I got back in the saddle in May after a year off, because my symptoms made biking unsafe. I’ve not ridden a bike for more than an hour or two since breaking my back. I don’t know how I’ll feel during the challenge trying to cycle 60 miles each day, but I’m determined to do my bit."
Andy had been experiencing vacant seizures and was having tests when an MRI scan revealed his brain tumour. He is monitored with regular scans which show his tumour is stable and he remains on life-long anti-seizure medication.
He said: “I consider myself lucky that there are treatment options for the type of brain tumour I have. There is a high chance that my tumour will grow back, and I have learnt that I am on a journey with this diagnosis.
“When I read up on brain tumours, I was shocked to learn that just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002. That motivated me to help be part of the solution and help raise money.”
You can donate to us via Andy’s fundraiser here.
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Published Monday 23rd September 2024.