Angelica Ronald, a 46-year-old genetics professor from Muswell Hill, took part in the London Winter Walk on Sunday in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
Her mum Rachel Ronald, 77, who has been having treatment for seven years, has undergone two operations and radiotherapy.
The grandmother-of-five, a retired architect, now lives with side effects like aphasia, a language disorder that affects communication and causes seizures.
She has always been known in her family for her impeccable memory and completing the most challenging cryptic crosswords.
“My mother has two tumours in her brain,” Angelica explained. “It’s been difficult watching her have to deal with so many symptoms, the headaches and the hurdles of having surgery and the recovery time. I’d like to see more research into brain tumours.”
Angelica believes in the value of medical science research and longer-term investment, with her own scientific background.
“It’s not like mending a broken leg,” she adds. “The brain is a complex part of the body, responsible for someone’s personality and functioning.
“But brain tumour research is underfunded. We need more information in order to improve prevention and treatment.”
The sponsored walk started and finished at The Oval in Kennington, south London. She has raised £2,500 for the research charity so far.
“I know our walk is not a Polar expedition or anything like climbing Everest,” Angelica admits. “But we will endure all that the January weather has to throw at us.”
There are more than 100 different types of brain tumour, the charity says, making it difficult to find effective treatments.
The number of brain tumour cases has risen by 11 per cent in the last decade. Yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated.
Brain Tumour Research campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research to help speed up new treatments to help improve survival rates and ultimately find a cure.
