A woman who lost her father to a brain tumour is getting ready to join our Walk of Hope to help find a cure for the disease.
Following surgery to remove a diffuse astrocytoma in 2019, David Webber was “never the same”. His daughter Abigail said: “He was smart, kind, funny, everything you could possibly wish for in a dad. He gave me the best childhood imaginable.
“After the surgery there were big personality changes, he became aggressive towards us sometimes, he had a very short temper and could never be reasoned with, no matter how bizarre the situation was.”
David’s tumour caused additional debilitating symptoms. He began to suffer from focal seizures and could have more than 100 a day, lasting from 30 seconds to 10 minutes at a time. His mobility and coordination declined and, after the tumour spread to his hypothalamus (which regulates thirst and hunger), he struggled to eat or drink.
David died in October 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.
Determined to make a difference in her dad’s memory, Abigail will be among hundreds of supporters stepping out on Saturday 28th September for our Walk of Hope. She is joining our event in Torpoint where walkers will complete a 5.6km route with stunning views over the sea and Plymouth Sound.
Abigail said: “I want to raise money for Brain Tumour Research because, although it’s too late to help us, it isn’t too late to help any other family going through the same problem. More money means more research, which means potentially better treatment options.
“Although brain tumours aren’t as common as other cancers, they are just as lethal. The fact that historically only 1% of cancer research funding has gone to brain tumour research is unbelievable, because the brain is so complex and difficult to understand, surely that requires a huge amount of research.”
To find out more about our Walk of Hope events or how you can do your own, wherever you are, visit www.braintumourresearch.org/pages/fundraise-walk-of-hope
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Published Thursday 5th September 2024.