Brain tumour survivor and cancer patient takes on 100-mile cycle challenge

A man from West Wales who was diagnosed with a brain tumour whilst battling prostate cancer is taking on a cycling challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Paul Potter, 66 of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire will be cycling 100 miles at the Tour of Cambridgeshire sportive on Sunday 12 June which forms part of Britain’s biggest cycling festival.

It’s to raise money for Brain Tumour Research after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2012 whilst waiting to start treatment for prostate cancer.

The freelance marine consultant, who retired last year, said: “I feel very fortunate that my brain tumour was detected quickly and treatable. Over the last ten years I have been able to continue with daily life with minimal side effects from the tumour.”

Paul who lost his wife, Jane, to breast cancer in 2002, has three children aged 33, 31 and 28, was about to begin treatment for prostate cancer when a sharp pain in his head prompted him to book and appointment with the GP. He was referred for an emergency MRI scan at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest which showed a golf-ball sized mass on his brain.

He had a nine-hour craniotomy which was successful in removing the mass and a biopsy showed the tumour was a low-grade meningioma. Paul spent a few days in hospital before his prostate cancer treatment could resume in March 2013.

Paul said: “I had two black eyes from the brain surgery which made me look like a panda and other than a mild speech impediment and slightly visible scar on my head, I consider myself one of the lucky ones.”

Now fully recovered, he has regular scans to monitor any changes.

The keen cyclist is aiming to cycle 100 miles in Cambridgeshire, and has set out to raise £2,740 for Brain Tumour Research, which represents the cost of a day of research at one of the charity’s four Centres of Excellence. So far, Paul has raised more than £2,300 by taking part in Brain Tumour Research’s Cycle 274 Challenge in August last year, and also the Tour of Pembrokeshire in May this year.

Paul added: “My hope is that by fundraising I can also spark conversation about brain tumours and bring it to the forefront to help it get the funding it so desperately lacks.”

Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Paul for sharing his story and are pleased to hear that his brain tumour was treatable. Sadly, we know this isn’t always the case; brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any time. Paul has already raised a significant amount and we are cheering him on in reaching his target which will help us in funding the fight towards finding a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

You can donate to Paul’s fundraiser by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-and-jo-potter-btr

Source: Brain Tumour Research

More