Mum of two is a shining light after life saving brain surgery at Addenbrooke's
A mother-of-two who received life-saving treatment at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge is to participate in Cancer Research’s sponsored Shine Night Walk as a way of thanks.
Louise Wallage, from Haverhill, was diagnosed with an aggressive grade four brain tumour just before her 40th birthday, which required immediate life-saving surgery. Now, five years later, and close to full recovery, she’s encouraging people to dig deep to help raise money for the charity to fund vital research.
She said: “Until I became ill I wasn’t really aware of the work Cancer Research UK does. Without their research surgeons might not have known how to treat my tumour. I’m so grateful to everybody involved and I would encourage everyone to donate money and help out where they can.
“I had to tell my children I had a brain tumour – that was the hardest thing. And then I had to tell them it was cancer – and that was even harder.
“The operation took more than six hours. For the initial part I was under general anaesthetic and then I was woken up and I had a conversation with my surgeon to make sure I could feel my toes and that I was aware of my surroundings. They removed around 90- 95 per cent of my tumour.
“My brain is healing and there is no change to the tumour. It’s not come back. It has shrunk and is not active. I no longer have seizures and now live a normal life. “
Inspired by her care and treatment, Louise decided she needed a new challenge in her life and returned to fulltime education to study for a degree in history and sociology.
She added: “It is possible to come out of a cancer diagnosis and kick-start your life again. There is a sense of being grateful, that I carry around with me, and that’s why I support Cancer Research UK to say thank you.”
The charity’s Shine Night Walk is returning to Cambridge following the success of the first event last year. The 10k walk will see men, women and children uniting through light to raise money for life-saving research.
It starts from the Corn Exchange in Cambridge on September 28 at 7.15pm and 8.30pm, and participants will take to the city streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light.
The route will pass city landmarks such as the Guildhall, King’s College, Trinity College and many more. Cambridge is one of just 10 locations across the UK selected to hold Shine Night Walk events this year.
Gemma Turpin, Cancer Research UK Cambridge event manager, said: “We hope the whole community will again come together to light up the city streets and make it a night to remember on September 28.
“If you want to be involved but walking isn’t for you, why not join our volunteering team for the night?”
To enter visit shinewalk.org.
