A mother who suddenly lost her ability to communicate during a professional meeting was taken aback by the discovery of eight brain tumors. Laura Critchley, a director at a multi-academy trust, experienced confusion and speech difficulties while leading a Teams meeting. Following this episode, she was escorted to her car, where she struggled to start it, leading to her admission to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Medical scans uncovered multiple brain tumors after Laura underwent a CT scan due to abnormal findings and subsequent seizures. An MRI revealed seven tumors on the left side of her brain, responsible for speech, and one deep-seated tumor. Scheduled for surgery on November 19th to remove seven tumors, Laura’s partner, Lee Vaughan, mentioned that doctors will investigate the cause of the tumor growth.

Initially planning to monitor the situation with regular MRI scans, specialists opted for surgery due to Laura’s youth and good health. Lee highlighted their efforts to maintain normalcy for their two sons, aged 10 and seven, by likening Laura’s surgery to a necessary break for healing, akin to a sports player resting after a head injury.

Concerned about the genetic implications for their children, Lee is participating in the 99 Miles November challenge by Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness and funds. The challenge involves various physical activities, with Lee aiming to raise £2,740, equivalent to a day of research at Brain Tumour Research centers.

Encouraged by Laura, Lee embraced the challenge as a positive outlet during this challenging time. He emphasized the importance of contributing to research that could benefit families facing similar situations. Lee also shared the emotional impact on their sons, particularly their eldest, who has asked difficult questions about his mother’s well-being and mortality.

Ashley McWilliams from Brain Tumour Research commended Lee’s determination to transform adversity into a force for good, highlighting the collective effort to advance towards a cure. To support Lee in the 99 Miles in November challenge, interested individuals can visit the provided link.