THREE Melksham sisters will run the Bath Half Marathon together next month to raise money for the hospital that treated the eldest sister’s brain tumour last year.
Local woman Becky Vaina, 35, had a non-cancerous brain tumour removed last year in two operations lasting a combined 25 hours.
Next month, less than a year later, she will run the 13-mile Bath Half with her sisters Gemma Mullan and Samantha Morrison. They will be raising money for the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where Becky was treated.
“I’m really excited!” Becky told Melksham News. “The care I got in hospital was out of this world. I couldn’t have asked for more, and they were so supportive to my family. The staff were literally lifesavers!
“I have been slowly getting back to normal since the surgery in July and am really looking forward to doing this with my sisters and giving something back to the hospital.”
The trio are hoping to raise at least £600 and are already over halfway to their target.
Becky found out she had the tumour – a benign meningioma – after visiting the doctor when she suddenly lost the hearing in her left ear last year.
She then had two operations to remove the tumour and stayed in hospital for over three weeks. She will have to return for regular scans for the next 15 years.
Becky added, “The whole experience has really made me look at life differently and stop moaning about silly little things. There was a point when I couldn’t walk and I was told that, although it wasn’t cancer, it would eventually have killed me if it wasn’t removed.
“I was very active before the surgery, so hopefully this will be a good way to build my strength back up. The half marathon was Sam’s idea – she’s a keen runner – but it’ll be the first time for me and Gemma.
“The hospital is a university hospital so the money will go towards the skull base clinic and its brain tumour research. It’s a charity supported by my surgeon, so I’m pleased to be able to give back to it.
“We’ve had lots of support from family and friends so far and will be very grateful for any donations!”
To donate to Becky, Gemma and Samantha’s fundraiser search ‘Becky Vaina’ online at www.justgiving.com.
