Sportsman with brain tumour in fundraising run for research

Tuesday 08 August 2023

A former Island Games medal-winner who underwent double brain surgery last year is training to run a half-marathon in London to raise money for research which could find a cure for his tumour.

When his speech started to stutter and his memory to decline in April 2022, Ryan O’Shea (27) went to the doctor.

After a series of scans, emergency appointments, and surgeries, he discovered he had Grade 1 diffuse astrocytoma – a slow-growing type of brain tumour.

In his return to work post-surgery earlier this year, he was supported with counselling provided by The Jersey Brain Tumour Charity – whom he raised funds for by completing the Island Walk in 17 hours 45 minutes and 11 seconds, unknowingly while suffering from a virus.

However, now he has set himself another challenge, the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which will be his second half marathon and his first not in the island.

He is running the half marathon on 8 October in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity, which is the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. It sets out to find new treatments and drive urgent change for those with the condition.

His minimum fundraising target to secure his place for the run is £450.

Ryan explained why he chose the charity, saying: "Due to the location of my tumour it wasn't possible to remove it, but it was possible to have a shunt installed internally.

"If they do surgery again, it would be difficult and dangerous, so if there ever was a treatment to help with my condition, that would be amazing."

He added that training has been "harder than expected", saying: "Whenever I get a cold or flu, it brings up my symptoms a lot more, and I get headaches and more fatigued. I'm still getting the runs done and dusted, though, and getting out there."

He also hopes to raise awareness that brain tumours can happen to anyone, despite their age, after he was told that his type of tumour was typically found in people aged 55 to 65 and rarely seen at his age.

Pictured: Ryan, after finishing the Island Walk, which he said he "should have pulled out of" due to suffering a virus at the time.

Ryan is a keen sportsman who won bronze medals for Jersey in cycling events at the Island Games in 2013.

However, after his diagnosis and surgery, he was informed that he could no longer race, and decided to take up running.

Since the new year, he has joined a local run club (Rock n' Road Runners) to help with his physical and mental health.

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To sponsor Ryan, visit his SportsGiving page here.