Home / Health / Woman Runs 12 Half Marathons for Brain Tumor Charity
Woman Runs 12 Half Marathons for Brain Tumor Charity
27 Jan
Summary
- Rebecca John runs 12 half marathons to fund brain tumor research.
- Her brother and friend were diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors.
- Diagnosis can be difficult due to generic, non-specific symptoms.
Rebecca John has embarked on an inspiring endeavor, committing to run a half marathon every month throughout 2026 to support Brain Tumour Research. This significant challenge is motivated by her brother, Richard Morris, and a friend who were both diagnosed with meningiomas, a common type of primary brain tumor, in 2023 and 2025 respectively. John completed her first of twelve races on Sunday, January 26, 2026, and has already raised over £1,000 toward her target.
John shared that her brother's diagnosis came after years of experiencing tinnitus, necessitating emergency surgery. Fortunately, he has since recovered well. Her friend's tumor was detected earlier, and she is currently on a watch-and-wait list, with scans showing no growth. Dr. Karen Noble from Brain Tumour Research notes that brain tumor symptoms, such as headaches and memory loss, can be generic, often requiring multiple GP visits before diagnosis.
Dr. Noble emphasized that the rarity of brain tumors makes them challenging for general practitioners to identify quickly. Approximately 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor annually, a figure that has risen by 11% in the past decade. Brain Tumour Research aims to improve awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals to ensure timely access to treatment. John's next half marathon is scheduled for Sunday in Cardiff.
