Burnley fundraiser taking part in The Twilight Walk for The Brain Tumour Charity in London

Trainee nurse Claudia was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year. She’s taking part to raise funds, and awareness of brain tumours

The Brain Tumour Charity’s flagship event, The Twilight Walk, takes place in central London on Saturday March 25th during March’s Brain Tumour Awareness Month (BTAM).

The Twilight Walk brings together people affected by brain tumours from all over the country. Over the past nine years, the event has raised an extraordinary £2.8 million for The Brain Tumour Charity and united over 10,000 people for those affected by brain tumours. This year hundreds will attend the first ever London Twilight Walk, starting in Marylebone on Saturday, or stride out remotely, and tackle a Twilight Walk Own Walk wherever they live in the UK and beyond.

Making the journey to London this weekend is Claudia Laird, from Burnley, and her friends. Claudia, 25, is a trainee paediatric nurse, studying for her degree at Manchester University. Claudia was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Astrocytoma brain tumour in January 2022. Claudia said:

“I am really looking forward to meeting like-minded individuals like myself and getting to know others who have been through a similar thing to me – sharing love, stories and experiences, all with a big smile on our faces. My two best friends are going to be doing the walk with me. I hope to make the walk a very special and happy day, even though the reason behind it is to raise money for a very ‘sad’ cause.”

Since her diagnosis last year, Claudia has done her utmost to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms. It’s something she feels very passionate about, because her own symptoms – which included headaches, brain fog, regular bouts of sickness and a high heart rate – were initially put down to other conditions.

Although she was told she might have migraines, or gastroenteritis, Claudia knew from her own medical training that something wasn’t right. On one occasion, when she asked for a brain scan, she was told they “don’t give out brain scans to 24 year olds willy nilly.” When a scan was granted, however, her brain tumour was discovered, and she needed an emergency operation to remove it. Claudia said:

“I really had to persevere to get an accurate diagnosis as I repeatedly didn’t feel like I was being taken seriously. As soon as I had my first CT scan, the look on everyone’s faces completely changed – the size of the tumour, which was around 7cm, meant that it would have been dangerous to leave it untreated any longer, even for one day.”

Since her operation, Claudia has been able to return to her nursing training at the University of Manchester. In her spare time, she has raised over £5,000 for brain tumour charities with a variety of fundraising events, from step challenges and sponsored walks to hosting a successful charity night in January. A recent scan, however, revealed a small amount of tumour growth, which may require her to undergo further surgery or a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Claudia is waiting till her next scan, on April 22nd, to decide what action to take. Claudia said:

“The Twilight Walk is something I’m really looking forward to – to shine a light on brain tumours and continue my fight for change, as the statistics regarding research for brain tumours are very disappointing. I’m up and down in my emotions, but I really try and stay positive and have a happy outlook. It’s unfortunate that this had to happen to me but I just hope I can lead the way for the future developments, research and awareness.

“It is pivotal for future generations that we raise awareness and money for changes in brain tumour research and interventions. At the end of the day it isn’t fair that myself, children, mothers, sons, ANYONE – should have to face this reality.

“We need to see statistics change. We need earlier diagnosis, greater awareness of symptoms among health professionals, and ultimately, one day, a cure.”

Gina Almond, Director of Fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to each and every one of our supporters up and down the UK taking on a Twilight Walk this March during Brain tumour Awareness Month. Their stories, their reasons for walking, continue to inspire us all.

“Over 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour, including 500 children and young people – that’s 33 people every day.

“It is through the amazing efforts of all our supporters that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.

“We stand with everyone whose lives have been turned upside by this cruel disease and are committed to finding a cure by truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work.”

Find out more and sign up: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/thetwilightwalk/
For more information on The Brain Tumour Charity’s Better Safe Than Tumour Campaign, raising awareness of brain tumour symptoms: https://www.headsmart.org.uk

The Brain Tumour Charity is now the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

They fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.

The Charity also provides support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.

Anyone affected by a brain tumour can get in touch for support and information on 0808 800 0004 or by emailing [email protected].

Find out more: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/