A brain tumour patient whose year-long plans to celebrate turning 30 were abruptly derailed, is refusing to standstill despite undergoing treatment and is now taking part in our 99 Miles in November challenge.
Bella Depreli, from Dulwich, southeast London, began the year in Costa Rica before going to a festival with friends to mark her 30th birthday. A string of celebrations followed for the care-free investment banker, due to culminate in a trip to India. However, the adventurer’s exciting plans were put on hold when an out-of-the-blue seizure resulted in a shock brain tumour diagnosis.
In a tragic coincidence, Bella was just nine when she lost her sister to the same disease more than 20 years ago. She later also lost her mum to breast cancer.
Just weeks after undergoing an operation to remove the tumour, Bella is now taking part in our month-long fundraiser whilst also undergoing six weeks of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. She said: “I’ve always been active and when I saw the challenge, I thought, I could do that distance in a month.”
Bella is now halfway through her challenge, in which participants commit to covering 99 miles across the month, however they choose. She has raised to date an incredible £8,000 on our behalf.
“Not many people realise how little money is invested in research into brain tumours,” said Bella, “which is why supporting Brain Tumour Research is so important to me. I don’t want to be just another statistic. I’m maintaining hope for myself and others who are diagnosed with this disease.”
You can donate to us via Bella’s JustGiving page. Our thoughts are with Bella as she completes her treatment.
Related reading:
- 99 Miles in November
- Woman thought she had exotic disease from travels – but it was brain tumour – Mirror
- How you can help find a cure
Published Wednesday 20th November 2024.