Raising money for brain cancer treatment

Hi guys, I am running the Dragons Back Race on 2nd September 2024 - at the time of writing this, it is less than 4 weeks away!. The race is notoriously known as one of the toughest in the UK, consisting of 6 days running across the Welsh mountains from Conwy castle, down to Cardiff castle while covering 380km and 17,500m of elevation.

So far this year I have trained for 249 hours and ran 1265 miles (and counting) in all weather conditions while preparing for this race.

I originally set out on this challenge for the personal achievement but during my training program, one of my closest friends families lives was turned upside down when Leo was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Midline Glimona back in March this year - a type of tumour which is treatable but unfortunately not curable. I’ve been thinking about this a lot during my long runs and it only feels right to me that I use this opportunity to raise as much money that I can in order to contribute towards Leo’s treatment.

I’m sure many of you reading this are aware that Since his biopsy, Leo has undergone a 6 week course of radiation at the Glan Clywd cancer centre and is now currently a participant in the ONC201 drug trial at Clatterbridge. We are extremely hopeful that Leo will be one of the participants to receive the drug as there have been several success stories in patients with his tumour.

We are also currently working with CeGaT Biotechnology company who are based in Tubingen in Germany. They offer a form of immunotherapy that they feel will be beneficial for Leo. The treatment consists of regular vaccinations using a personalised vaccine designed specifically for Leo and his tumour. This vaccine activates the patient's own immune system to be better able to recognize and destroy tumor cells specifically. The hope is that Leo will attend this clinic following the drug trial.

This treatment will cost much more than we had originally expected due to the nature of it and how personalised it is. Leo will also be required to fly and stay in Germany every 4-6 weeks for this.

No matter how big or little, every pound raised will go directly to help a great young man and a great family. Cheers