Chasing dreams, outrunning brain tumours

In April of 2023 I received the biggest shock of my life so far. After a run of the mill concussion and subsequent routine CT scan, an anomaly was identified. Post MRI, I was informed that not only did I have a brain tumour, but it had been there for a very long time.

For seven weeks I processed this news, showing up each day for my students - trying to hold onto normality whilst I could. After surgery in June, and a long three months of recovery involving a number of specialists, I am in the privileged position to begin my return to work journey and am excited to be able to return to my pre-surgery career.

This is not the case for many in our brain tumour community, with the fatigue and variety of symptoms preventing a return to work, and for some this delays a return to some semblance of normality.

This is why I am fundraising - not for myself but others who are still overcoming their own challenges as they have no choice but to face this head on. I am aiming to run at least a 5km during IBTAW to raise money and awareness for Brain Tumour Support NZ.