John/Jemima running for the Oli Hilsdon Foundation
Donation protected
We are running a marathon for the first time in memory of our dear friend Oli and to raise money for the Oli Hilsdon Foundation. The Foundation will support research towards a cure for the brain cancer that took Oli’s life in January this year.
19th of May is the big day. Oli’s passion for life and long distance running got us to the start line. We now need YOU to give generously in Oli’s name to keep our legs moving for the 26.2 long miles ahead.
Please read on for Oli’s story, and more information about the Foundation.
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The Oli Hilsdon Foundation will support research to find a cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal form of adult brain cancer which has a median survival time of only 12-18 months.
Just 25% of GBM patients survive more than one year, and 3-5% patients survive more than 5 years. Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer, and yet receive only 1% of UK cancer research funding.
The Foundation will fund research into treatments to extend survival times and - the ultimate goal - eliminate the cancer. It aims to prevent other families from suffering such devastating loss.
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Oli was diagnosed with GBM when he was 22, soon after he’d graduated from Cambridge and moved to London to start work. As an active young guy with a busy social life and work schedule, he had no idea anything was wrong until he suffered a seizure out of the blue. After precautionary tests, doctors broke the news: the cancer was aggressive and they thought Oli only had 12 months to live.
Oli was stubborn and when the diagnosis came he threw the book at it, undertaking chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. He also started training for the London Marathon. After 14 months, in December 2015, he received the best Christmas present anyone could have hoped for - a clear scan, showing that the cancer was in remission. Just a month later he ran the London marathon in under 4 hours, raising £60,000 for the Brain Tumour Research charity. A day later he returned to work full time.
He said at the time: ‘When you are told you might not be around for much longer, it changes things. I wanted to run to prove to myself that I’m very much alive and I can do it.’
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In December 2017 Oli proposed to his future wife, Gigi.
A routine scan one month later showed that the tumour had returned. Surgery and more chemotherapy followed. Oli kept running - half marathons before work - despite the intensive treatment.
Oli and Gigi were married in October 2018. But this time the cancer had not responded to treatment. In January 2019, GBM claimed Oli’s life - just as it does for tens of thousands of others every year.
Oli passed away at home days before his 27th birthday, with his wife, parents and sister by his side. He had spent the afternoon watching his beloved Northampton Saints rugby team on TV. Just a few days before he had told his family, ‘I’m so lucky. I have a wonderful life’.
—-
Oli’s life was devastatingly short, but he lived it on a grand scale - full of inspiration, ambition and love. In that spirit Oli’s closest friends and family are currently registering The Oli Hilsdon Foundation as a registered charity.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for supporting such a worthwhile cause.
—-
19th of May is the big day. Oli’s passion for life and long distance running got us to the start line. We now need YOU to give generously in Oli’s name to keep our legs moving for the 26.2 long miles ahead.
Please read on for Oli’s story, and more information about the Foundation.
—-
The Oli Hilsdon Foundation will support research to find a cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal form of adult brain cancer which has a median survival time of only 12-18 months.
Just 25% of GBM patients survive more than one year, and 3-5% patients survive more than 5 years. Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer, and yet receive only 1% of UK cancer research funding.
The Foundation will fund research into treatments to extend survival times and - the ultimate goal - eliminate the cancer. It aims to prevent other families from suffering such devastating loss.
—-
Oli was diagnosed with GBM when he was 22, soon after he’d graduated from Cambridge and moved to London to start work. As an active young guy with a busy social life and work schedule, he had no idea anything was wrong until he suffered a seizure out of the blue. After precautionary tests, doctors broke the news: the cancer was aggressive and they thought Oli only had 12 months to live.
Oli was stubborn and when the diagnosis came he threw the book at it, undertaking chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. He also started training for the London Marathon. After 14 months, in December 2015, he received the best Christmas present anyone could have hoped for - a clear scan, showing that the cancer was in remission. Just a month later he ran the London marathon in under 4 hours, raising £60,000 for the Brain Tumour Research charity. A day later he returned to work full time.
He said at the time: ‘When you are told you might not be around for much longer, it changes things. I wanted to run to prove to myself that I’m very much alive and I can do it.’
—-
In December 2017 Oli proposed to his future wife, Gigi.
A routine scan one month later showed that the tumour had returned. Surgery and more chemotherapy followed. Oli kept running - half marathons before work - despite the intensive treatment.
Oli and Gigi were married in October 2018. But this time the cancer had not responded to treatment. In January 2019, GBM claimed Oli’s life - just as it does for tens of thousands of others every year.
Oli passed away at home days before his 27th birthday, with his wife, parents and sister by his side. He had spent the afternoon watching his beloved Northampton Saints rugby team on TV. Just a few days before he had told his family, ‘I’m so lucky. I have a wonderful life’.
—-
Oli’s life was devastatingly short, but he lived it on a grand scale - full of inspiration, ambition and love. In that spirit Oli’s closest friends and family are currently registering The Oli Hilsdon Foundation as a registered charity.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for supporting such a worthwhile cause.
—-
Co-organizers (2)
John Boreham
Organizer
England
Jemima Hodkinson
Co-organizer