Together for Becca: A Family’s Fight Against Brain Cancer

Andrew and his wife Sarah are taking on the York 10K to raise vital funds for their son’s partner, Becca Taylor, who is fighting stage 4 brain cancer.

Less than a year ago, Becca visited her GP with persistent headaches. After a series of tests and scans, the then 26-year-old received the devastating diagnosis of stage 4 astrocytoma. Doctors warned that her prognosis was extremely poor.

Determined to give Becca the best chance possible, surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary removed as much of the tumour as they could before she underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, treatment options for this type of cancer are limited.

Refusing to give up hope, Becca’s family began searching for alternative treatment options. Research suggested that oxygen therapy could help improve the effectiveness of her treatment, so they set out to raise funds for an oxygen therapy chamber. Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, family and the local community, they were able to purchase the chamber, which Becca now uses as part of her ongoing treatment plan. As well as this, the Go Fund Me pot has also paid for 5 rounds of immunotherapy in Germany which wasn’t available to Becca in the UK.

The family's search for options also uncovered a rare genetic mutation that is driving Becca's tumour growth. Researchers have identified a drug that specifically targets this mutation and can reach the brain, offering renewed hope. While the treatment is not available to Becca through the NHS, specialists in Germany can provide access to it – at a significant cost.

The medication costs €7,800 for the first two months, followed by €3,900 every month thereafter, meaning the fundraising effort must continue.

For Becca, this fight is about more than treatment. It's about creating more precious memories with her five-year-old daughter Eliza, her partner Thomas, and six-year-old Willow.

By running the York 10K, Andrew and Sarah hope not only to raise funds for Becca's treatment, but also to highlight the urgent need for more effective brain tumour treatments in the UK and greater awareness of a disease that continues to devastate families.

Every mile they run is for Becca. Every donation helps give her more hope, more options and more time with the people she loves.