A MUM-OF-THREE from Ilminster who is living with a brain tumour has organised a Walk of Hope to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure.
Katie Galan-Wilkinson has been fundraising for Brain Tumour Research since she was diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma in 2019.
Alongside starting a new job for the first time since her diagnosis at NatWest in Ilminster, Katie has been busy organising her Walk of Hope.
The two-mile walk will start at the Market House on East Street and finish at Donyatt Village Hall on Saturday, September 3.
Katie, 38, said: “For the past two years, the walks I have organised saw people completing them with their own bubbles due to the pandemic, so this year I wanted to bring everyone together to raise awareness for Brain Tumour Research.”
Participants will be able to choose from a morning or afternoon start time (10am for a 10:15am start, or 2pm for a 2:15pm start), and the walk will take through the town and countryside.
Children will have the opportunity to spot different items along the way.
Katie has also organised a Brain Tumour Research baton to be carried by participants along sections of the walk, inspired by the Commonwealth Games and to bring the community together.
“There really is something for everyone this year,” said Katie.
“We’ve also got refreshments and cake for walkers at the end in Donyatt Village Hall. In fact, you don’t even have to have walked, anyone is welcome to come along for a drink and slice of cake.
“My hope is to bring a social element to the event and make it a celebration of being together.
“Everyone is encouraged to wear either yellow and/or pink so we can make as much noise about the charity to find a cure for brain tumours.”
Katie was pregnant with her third child Mario, now three, when she started to suffer severe headaches.
At 39 weeks pregnant, a scan found a mass on her brain. Four weeks after Mario was born, Katie had surgery to remove the tumour.
She finished 33 sessions of radiotherapy in November 2020 and continues to be monitored with scans.
Mel Tiley, community and development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re grateful for Katie’s continued support and wish her well in her regular scans.
“It’s exciting that this year, Katie’s organised walk is in-person. The event sounds like it’ll be fun for all ages.
“One in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour and with the support of people such as Katie, we are determined to change this.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, but only receive around one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours.
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres across the UK and campaigns for more investment into research to speed up new treatments and ultimately find a cure.
Walk of Hope will take place nationwide on Saturday, September 24, with people invited to get involved.
Registrants will receive a free fundrasing pack and special event t shirt.
To find your nearest walk, or register your own event please visit www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/walk-of-hope.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here