The tragic death of an 11-year-old boy to a brain tumour inspired two Essex friends to take on the Oxford Half Marathon to raise funds to help research into the disease.
Jennifer Thorn, 44, of Kelvedon, near Colchester, and Lauren Shorter, 28, of Basildon, have raised over £1,200 for Brain Tumour Research.
The pair took on the half marathon after reading about Danny Green of Canvey Island, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 medulloblastoma brain tumour in November 2011, aged 10.
He had surgery to remove the tumour, but was left with a condition called Posterior Fossa Syndrome (PFS) which meant he was unable to communicate, move unaided, hold his head up, balance or walk.
Despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he lost his battle eight months after diagnosis in July 2012, aged 11.
His parents, Lisa and Chris Green, set up The Danny Green Fund, a member charity of national charity Brain Tumour Research.
Mrs Thorn said: “I have another reason for supporting Brain Tumour Research – my mum, Lynda Coles, also of Kelvedon, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, but fortunately this turned out to be low-grade.”
• To donate, see here or here. Money will be donated to Brain Tumour Research.
Mrs Shorter added: “I didn’t know Danny or his family, but heard his tragic story on the news and was shocked that there was no cure. It inspired me to help fund research into this neglected form of cancer.”
The pair were praised by the parents of Danny.
Mrs Green said: “Thank you Lauren and Jenny for running in memory of Danny. It is so kind of you.
“We are sorry to hear that Jenny’s mother has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and hope she makes a good recovery.
“It’s five years since Danny died and it seems so cruel that he is not here to enjoy life as a teenager.
“He was enjoying going to school and playing football.
“If he were still with us, we would have been celebrating his GCSE results this summer.
Brain tumours are such a cruel disease and more sustainable research must be carried out if we are to prevent others from suffering as Danny did.”
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