Chiltern Hills: The Chiltern Hills (UK) walk 2011 in aid of Brain Tumour UK took place on Sunday 25 September, on a lovely Sunday day, according to the organisers. 90 walkers completed 5 miles, adding 450 miles to the World Walk target.

According to Lynne Barty, the long-established Brain Tumour Action in the UK promoted a new edition of its "Living with a brain tumour" booklet during the Awareness Week. The booklet can be dowloaded from their website.

Cindy Rosser, the Family Outreach Coordinator for the Michael Quinlan Brain Tumor Foundation (MQBTF) in Kentucky wrote to advise us that the MQBTF (which merged in October 2010 with the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky/BIAK) and the BIAK had their first joint “Walking Together” event on May 14, 2011 on the Belvedere of the Louisville waterfront.  475 walkers took part and 1,476 miles were achieved and donated to the IBTA’s  “Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours”. Thanks so much MQBTF and BIAK!

Here are some photos of the event, which included a "Blueberry car" and a pie-throwing competition with the 'victims' resembling some of the local specialists. But there were also the walkers.

Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire (formerly Andrea's Gift) Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge supporting Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours:

Rosa Topley and Carol Robertson top Ingleborough

Carol Robertson writes - "Total miles 864 (kilometres 1,390). Saturday 2nd July saw 36 walkers set off at 0800 from the cafe at Horton in Ribblesdale to attempt the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge - to cover 24 miles with 1,600 m (5,249 ft) of ascent and descent in under 12 hours. We were blessed with glorious weather which showcased the absolute beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, we had panoramic views to comfort us when the going was tough!  It was very hot and there were a few burnt bodies by the end of the day. We began our trek at the smallest peak, Pen y Ghent (691m) which got the legs moving and hearts pumping!  This was followed by around 8 miles of flat boggy moorland. There were hundreds of people trekking this day for a number of charities, some unfortunate walkers ended up to their waists in bogs and had to be pulled out.   Our trek followed up the long grind to the summit of Whernside, the highest peak at 728m.  The descent is a killer for the knees and is equally as difficult as the ascent. 

Finally, we climbed our way to the top of Ingleborough at 723 m, the legs were stinging by this point, but a very sweet feeling at the top, knowing that it was all downhill from that point!  All walkers who finished did so in under 12 hours, the fastest time was 8hrs 45.

Rosa Topley is a patient who gathered 25 friends and family to help her on the day, Team Topley were amazing, all got back within 12 hours and have raised over £4,000!

Another patient Jon O'Neil and his son Dan also completed the course in under 12 hours.

A great day was had by all!"

Jon O'Neil

Team Topley

Y3P Group photo start

Fissure: These photos are from an event entitled "Fissure". This is an explanation: "Fissure was a unique weekend-long, site-specific theatrical experience, created by acclaimed performance maker Louise Ann Wilson, working with a rich and diverse team of artists and scientists in and around Ingleborough, at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Over three days from the 20th to the 22nd of May 2011, an audience of 60 people embarked on a walking exploration of the breath-taking natural terrain of the Dales, covering 20 miles each. Fissure took as its starting point, the death of a much-loved young woman from a brain tumour. This deeply personal story served as the foundation of a new legend for the landscapes in which Fissure is situated, a tale that fused neurological and geological mapping with archetypal, universally shared tellings of life, death, the underworld and rebirth.

Fissure was made with an award-winning creative team, including poet Elizabeth Burns, choreographer Nigel Stewart and composer Jocelyn Pook. Also involved were leading neuroscientists Dr. Michael Brada and Chris Clark, and a range of earth and environmental scientists.

Fissure was a part of The Re-Enchantment, Artevent’s national arts project exploring our relationships to place. See www.artevents.info for more information on Fissure and other projects.

A total of 1200 miles was achieved by walking participants during the Fissure theatrical experience and these miles have been donated to the IBTA’s “Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours”.

Ron Brinton from the Angels Among Us (Duke) walk. Ron commented in an email to the IBTA: "We were lifted this year to have so many more survivors leading our walk. We know progress is being made in both quality and length of life. We all strive for a cure."

Will Abbott, founder of the Philippine Brain Tumor Alliance, distributes IBTA magazines to medical staff in his home country.

Wendy Kaye (Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research) wrote that "The 2nd Annual FLAGSTAFF SSBTR Walk-a-thon was held on April 23, 2011.  Despite the very windy conditions, the walk-a-thon was a huge success.  Held once again at Foxglenn Park, walkers of all ages came to remember those who passed away from a brain tumor and honor those who are survivors."

NBTS Spring Walks: Catherine Sumner from the National Brain Tumor Society in the USA wrote: "Over 7,200 participants united in the fight against brain tumors in cities across the United States for the National Brain Tumor Society’s five spring walks.  Decked out in team T-shirts, hats, and the occasional costume, the spirited contributed an incredible 35,665 Kms to the IBTA Walk Around the World for Brain Tumors. The inaugural New York Brain Tumor Walk raised nearly $300,000, while the crowds in San Francisco raised a record-breaking $720,000, contributing to the 2011 walk fundraising total of more than $1.5 million. Proceeds from these walks benefit the National Brain Tumor Society." Here are photos of two of the walks:

IRENE: Dr Andre Pace from Italy advises that their annual 5 kms run/walk was held on 29 October. The event is called the "Corri al Masimo per IRENE". "IRENE" stands for "Instiuto Regina Elena di Neurochirugia e Neurologia". Here is the poster for the event which prominently displays the IBTA logo.

Sheffield Hallam University graduate Hayley Toothill, her boyfriend Dan Taylor and Hayley’s sister, Teresa Tomlinson, completed a 20-mile walk around Earby in Lancashire, England to raise awareness and funds for the Sheffield-based fundraising group Sophie’s Wish.  Hayley, whose mother died from undiagnosed secondary brain tumours in 2005, wanted to do something productive in her mother’s memory and at the same time raise funds for Sophie’s Wish.  The three energetic walkers managed to complete 60 miles between them and these were donated to the IBTA’s Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours. They raised £408 for Sophie’s Wish, part of the UK national charity Brain Tumour Research.  Hayley said: “Every penny can make a difference, so I thought it right to do my bit in helping raise money for a worthwhile cause.” Here is a photo of Hayley and Dan:

This is a link to reports on a range of awareness-raising activities held in Australia during the International Brain Tumour Awareness Week.