A CHARD mum who is fighting off her second brain tumour is taking part in a triathlon to help fund vital research.

Kirsten McIlroy, 43, will take part in the Langport ladies novice event on September 19, to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

She was diagnosed with her second brain tumour in April 2014 after previously having a tumour removed in Ferbuary 2008.

Kirsten, a mum to 13-year-old daughter Flora and arts teacher at Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport, said: “A year after I discovered I had a second tumour and eight years after the original diagnosis, I pulled myself together and lost the weight through a combination of diet and exercise.

“I started running in the early mornings when nobody could see me wobble and chose to support the charity Brain Tumour Research by taking part in the 2015 Langport ladies novice triathlon in Somerset in September 2015.”

Talking about her first diagnosis, Kirsten added: “The first time round I was having a scan because I had an unidentified tingling in my fingertips.

“My symptoms had gone by the time the appointment came through so I nearly cancelled but my mum encouraged me to go ahead. I’m glad I did. The news was bad but had I not kept the appointment it may have been far worse.”

Training for the event, a gruelling 200m swim, 15km bike ride and 3km run, has helped Kirsten to lose two stones in weight which she gained as she struggled to come to terms with her second diagnosis.

Kirsten later said: “I tried hard to think things would be fine as my tumour is low grade but I fell into a self-pitying trough and put the weight on. Being diagnosed with a second tumour felt like being hit by a thunderbolt. I don’t know what the future holds but my tumour is being monitored and I wanted to do something to support those who are supporting me.

“I consider myself fortunate that my tumour is low grade; many others are not so lucky. I was shocked to learn that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease.”

Brain Tumour Research funds a network of Centres of Excellence across the UK including one at Plymouth University where work is focused on research into low grade tumours like Kirsten’s.

Hugh Adams, Head of External Affairs at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Kirsten’s positive outlook is a great example and we wish her well. A brain tumour diagnosis, whether low grade or high grade, is a dreadful blow for patients and those around them.

“We are striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres whilst challenging the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research.”

For more information, visit www.braintumourresearch.org, or you can donate by visiting Kirsten's page on www.justgiving.com/kirsten-mcilroy1