While one marathon is more than enough for most, Mason Morgan (28) from Balham is set to take on multiple gruelling fundraising challenges on behalf of two cancer charities. All whilst living with an incurable brain tumour.
Mason was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour in September 2022, undergoing emergency brain surgery just a few days after his diagnosis.
Since then, Mason has had to re-learn how to walk, talk, and crucially for Mason, how to run. As a dedicated runner and fitness enthusiast, this side-effect hit Mason particularly hard. Yet despite numerous challenges, Mason has not only learnt to run again, but is taking on major international marathons, along with other challenges, and raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support along the way.
So far Mason has raised over £4,700. His target £15,000, which will be split between Macmillan and Guy’s Cancer Centre.
Having only re-started running in April of this year, Mason has already undertaken several 10k races around the capital. And along with next year’s London, Chicago, and New York marathons, he also plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024.
Mason: “I’ve always fundraised for charity, but in September last year I was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. Just the month before, I had been planning a move to Australia. And when I returned from a festival feeling a bit sick, I didn’t think anything of it. But a few days later I blacked out for 30 seconds and when I later called 111, was told to go to hospital immediately. A week later I was having emergency brain surgery.
“After my surgery I was struggling to see, type, speak, eat, swallow; I still struggle to hold a pen because my right thumb doesn’t work very well. You have to learn everything again – like a baby.
Mason found life after his diagnosis extremely challenging: “Emotionally it’s been a struggle. I was crying in hospital because I didn’t know what kind of surgery I was having or what the scar would look like, and it all happened so fast. Having to learn everything again was tough and by December I had gotten very low. I was also grieving the loss of my friend and housemate who had died in October from cervical cancer. I let everything build up, and it was just too much. I felt hopeless. That’s when I got in touch with Macmillan for the first time to access their bereavement service.
“Being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour at the age of 27 feels very unfair…everyone being treated around me in the hospital is at least 30 years older. Sometimes I feel invisible because my cancer is invisible. It’s a disease you can’t see; people on the tube don’t know I have a brain tumour and that I need to sit down, everyone’s always glued to their phones and not paying attention, so I don’t bother wearing my disabled badge anymore.
“There’s not a lot of data on my cancer as it’s really rare. I want to help increase the data so have signed-up to take part in (research) tests and studies and do what I can. It’s a bit of a bleak picture and there’s not a lot of hope for me. But I hope I can help people further down the line.
“Other people call me inspirational, but I don’t want cancer to define me. I’m just trying my best. I don’t see myself as an inspiration. In my eyes, I’m just doing some running. I don’t want to be known for having cancer, I want to be remembered for all the positive things I do.”
Ella Forster, Macmillan Fundraising Manager for London, said:
“Everyone at Macmillan is in awe of Mason – he may not want to be considered an inspiration, but he certainly is for us!
“The vital funds that Mason is raising will make a lasting difference to other people diagnosed with cancer. So far, Mason has already raised enough to fund a Macmillan nurse for over 18 days, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. It could also help our Macmillan Support Line team provide care and advice to 270 people who are navigating their own diagnosis. “
To donate to Mason’s JustGiving page, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mason-challenge
