The Brain Tumour Charity

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Em Hart

Em Hart

My Story

On Sunday, 27 April 2025, I will be running the world’s most famous 26.2 miles—the London Marathon—in memory of my mum, Karen Hart, to raise awareness and funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

When my mum was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in March 2024, an incurable and aggressive form of brain cancer, our world was irreversibly changed. At that time, I set out to run in her honour, hoping to raise both awareness and funds for GBM research. My mum passed away on 28 February 2025, a few months before the marathon. Now, I will run in memory of her and to continue the fight for others still facing this devastating disease.

This fight against brain cancer has deeply impacted our family. My mum’s mum also passed away from a brain tumour at the age of 48, and now my mum’s dad, my grandfather, has been diagnosed with GBM. This has made the need for awareness and research even more urgent.

In those early days after my mum’s diagnosis, my family and I were given little hope. GBM is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with an average survival time of only 12–18 months. Only 25% of patients survive longer than a year. GBM takes everything: a person’s thoughts, speech, memories, independence, and identity. Treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are physically taxing with limited results.

My mum’s journey with GBM began unexpectedly while she was on holiday in New Zealand, when she suffered a seizure out of nowhere and was airlifted to a hospital. An MRI revealed a tumour pressing on the part of her brain responsible for speech. Back in the UK, she underwent awake brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging her ability to speak. Despite the terrifying circumstances, my mum faced it with unwavering courage and determination. But GBM is relentless, and the surgery was followed by another seizure. I’ll never forget the moment my dad called from an ambulance to say, “It’s Mum. She’s not well. It’s a brain tumour.” Those words changed everything.

Since then, our family has been trapped in a never-ending cycle of hospital visits, treatment plans, and the agonizing realities of glioblastoma. Watching my mum endure this disease was beyond painful, but she faced it with humour, grace, and a strength that I will carry with me always.

Despite its high fatality rate, brain tumours receive shockingly little funding—just 1% of the national cancer research budget. This is unacceptable. We need more funding, more research, and better treatments. Families like mine deserve better options and better outcomes.

This is why I am running the London Marathon: to fight for those who are currently facing GBM, to honour my mum’s strength, resilience, voice, and love, and to raise as much money as I can for The Brain Tumour Charity. Their support has been invaluable during the most challenging time of my life, helping us navigate the emotional and practical aspects of this brutal disease.

I’ve set a goal of raising £20,000 to fund vital research and provide support for those affected by GBM. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and will make a real difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Best wishes,
Emily

The Brain Tumour Charity

Raising for:

The Brain Tumour Charity
103%

Funded

  • Target
    £26.2K
  • Raised so far
    £27.1K
  • Number of donors
    435

My Story

On Sunday, 27 April 2025, I will be running the world’s most famous 26.2 miles—the London Marathon—in memory of my mum, Karen Hart, to raise awareness and funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

When my mum was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in March 2024, an incurable and aggressive form of brain cancer, our world was irreversibly changed. At that time, I set out to run in her honour, hoping to raise both awareness and funds for GBM research. My mum passed away on 28 February 2025, a few months before the marathon. Now, I will run in memory of her and to continue the fight for others still facing this devastating disease.

This fight against brain cancer has deeply impacted our family. My mum’s mum also passed away from a brain tumour at the age of 48, and now my mum’s dad, my grandfather, has been diagnosed with GBM. This has made the need for awareness and research even more urgent.

In those early days after my mum’s diagnosis, my family and I were given little hope. GBM is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with an average survival time of only 12–18 months. Only 25% of patients survive longer than a year. GBM takes everything: a person’s thoughts, speech, memories, independence, and identity. Treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are physically taxing with limited results.

My mum’s journey with GBM began unexpectedly while she was on holiday in New Zealand, when she suffered a seizure out of nowhere and was airlifted to a hospital. An MRI revealed a tumour pressing on the part of her brain responsible for speech. Back in the UK, she underwent awake brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging her ability to speak. Despite the terrifying circumstances, my mum faced it with unwavering courage and determination. But GBM is relentless, and the surgery was followed by another seizure. I’ll never forget the moment my dad called from an ambulance to say, “It’s Mum. She’s not well. It’s a brain tumour.” Those words changed everything.

Since then, our family has been trapped in a never-ending cycle of hospital visits, treatment plans, and the agonizing realities of glioblastoma. Watching my mum endure this disease was beyond painful, but she faced it with humour, grace, and a strength that I will carry with me always.

Despite its high fatality rate, brain tumours receive shockingly little funding—just 1% of the national cancer research budget. This is unacceptable. We need more funding, more research, and better treatments. Families like mine deserve better options and better outcomes.

This is why I am running the London Marathon: to fight for those who are currently facing GBM, to honour my mum’s strength, resilience, voice, and love, and to raise as much money as I can for The Brain Tumour Charity. Their support has been invaluable during the most challenging time of my life, helping us navigate the emotional and practical aspects of this brutal disease.

I’ve set a goal of raising £20,000 to fund vital research and provide support for those affected by GBM. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and will make a real difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Best wishes,
Emily