A man who lost his dad to a brain tumour just weeks ago, is taking on a month-long charity bike ride.
Mark Hughes, of Rogerstone, is taking part in Cycle 274 Miles in August for the charity Brain Tumour Research. It comes after losing his father Chris Hughes to a glioblastoma (GBM) on Saturday 15 July, four months after diagnosis. He was 62.
Mark, 37, said: “Dad was active, he used to run and loved cycling. When I saw the challenge on Facebook it seemed a fitting way to celebrate something he loved whilst raising awareness of brain tumours.”
Doctors initially thought Chris, who was best man at Mark’s wedding last year, could be suffering from anxiety after episodes of light-headedness and loss of balance in March.
Mark explained: “My parents were looking to move house at the time so doctors thought Dad’s episodes could be down to stress. He also complained about bad headaches and struggled with his coordination including fastening the buttons on his shirt. When he had a fall, we encouraged him to get checked out and that’s when a scan showed a mass on his brain.
“We were given the standard treatment options which we looked at as a family and decided that Dad’s quality of life was more important than the side effects that often come with radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, which, we understood would prolong his life but not cure him.”
Chris was a beloved husband to Julia and father to Mark and Katie. He died at Ystrad Mynach Hospital surrounded by his family. Two days after his funeral, on Saturday 5 August, Mark plans to clock up some of the distance using his dad’s mountain bike.
Mark has so far raised more than £1,000 for the charity. He added: “I’ll cover most of the distance on my road bike but for about 40 miles I’m going to ride from Merthyr Tydfil down the Taff trail to Cardiff and then on to my house alongside close family friends.
“I know he’d be proud of what I am doing and would be doing it with me if he was here.”
Now in its third year, Cycle 274 Miles in August is a great challenge which participants can tailor to suit them and complete at their own pace.
They can cycle the same distance every day or complete different distances each day, heading outdoors for a ride or cycling on a static bike at home or in the gym. To sign up, visit www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/cycle-274-miles-in-august.
Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer.
Mark said: “Because of how it happened with Dad, we had conversations as a family that you perhaps never want to think about. We had a chance to get everything in order and in a way, it gave us time to transition into what the new normal was going to be.
“By taking part in this challenge, I hope to encourage people to get seen if they have any concerns. I hope that by raising money for research, we can understand more about the disease and have better treatment options and overall outcomes for patients and their families.”
Mel Tiley, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Chris’ story is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours, which can affect anyone at any time.
“One in three of us know someone affected by the disease. Despite this, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
“We’re determined to change this and are so grateful to Mark for taking on this challenge for us. Together we will find a cure.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Mark’s Cycle 274 Miles in August challenge, please visit:www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MARK1689594912689
