Abi Smith, just 30 years old, brushed off her double vision as a side effect of air travel until she faced a heart-stopping diagnosis—a brain tumour. While on a flight to the US in June 2019, her vision blurred, and despite initially blaming cabin pressure, things took a serious turn as she began losing mobility in her legs and the ability to grip objects.
Stateside tests showed nothing alarming, but back in the UK, an MRI at Queen’s Hospital in Burton on Trent revealed a glioma at the base of her brain, spreading towards her spine. This discovery was both terrifying and a relief, as doctors finally had a plan of action. Though part of the tumour was inoperable due to its tricky location, surgeons managed to remove the spinal section in July 2019.
Abi then went through gruelling rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, bravely enduring hair loss along the way. She focussed on the bright side, saying, “Hair can regrow. It’s a small price for the treatment that considerably shrank the tumour.”
Brain tumours are devastating, claiming more lives in children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet they remain severely underfunded compared to other cancers. This Christmas, Abi is championing the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal to rally support for crucial research funding. Every pound donated has the potential to ignite vital breakthroughs.
Abi channels her journey into positivity by hosting fundraising events, including a successful Wellness Day, and she runs ‘The Cancer Card’, a greetings card business supporting Brain Tumour Research. Her grit and determination inspire not only her local community but also everyone who hears her story.
Letty Greenfield from Brain Tumour Research praises Abi’s fighting spirit: “Abi’s courage in the face of such a daunting challenge is awe-inspiring. We’re deeply grateful for her support and are hopeful her story moves others to join our cause this Christmas.”
Feeling inspired? Join Abi in supporting the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal and help fund the fight against this relentless disease.