Courageous brain tumour patient from Alvechurch to reach new heights

Sarah James, from Alvechurch, is joining more than 20 other fundraisers in Brain Tumour UK’s special skydiving event at Brackley airfield in Oxfordshire.

“It will be my first ever tandem skydive,” said Sarah. “I hope to raise £5,000 to help beat brain tumours.”

Sarah is supporting Brain Tumour UK because she wants to help other people like her whose lives have been affected by brain tumours.

Sarah’s tumour was discovered in May 2007 when she was 26. She had surgery 10 days later which started the long road to recovery. In January 2008 Sarah was told she needed surgery for a second tumour, but there was only a five per cent chance of survival. The next month, after organising her own funeral, Sarah decided to go ahead with the surgery.

She said: “Six hours later I woke up. I had done it thanks to my surgeon and all the new technology and research done by Brain Tumour UK.”

Sarah suffered several setbacks along the way including meningitis, two strokes and five months of severe vomiting but she now wants to help other people who have found themselves in a similar situation.

“I have decided to do a skydive as I am terrified of heights and claustrophobic so hate flying,” said Sarak. “It won’t be a walk in the park, I can tell you. I’ll probably be more terrified than having the second operation.

“March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and a parachute jump is a great way to take awareness about this serious condition to new heights,” said Brain Tumour UK’s head of fundraising, Claire Glazebrook, who is also making the jump.

“Around 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK and a further 32,000 people may develop brain cancer from a tumour elsewhere in the body. “The funds raised through this skydive will help our charity continue to provide much-needed support, fund vital research and raise awareness, to help everyone affected by a brain tumour.”

To support Sarah, visit www.justgiving.com/Sarah-James.