A man who participated in a marathon and later thought he was experiencing a hangover was surprised to discover that he had brain tumors. George Wade, 42, began feeling unwell after attending the Cheltenham races in Gloucestershire with friends last March. He attributed his symptoms, including sensitivity to car headlights, severe headaches, and memory loss, to a hangover.
Although his symptoms temporarily subsided, a month later, George experienced weakness on the left side of his body and facial drooping. Despite clear results from multiple tests, his wife urged him to consult his brother-in-law, Dr. Caspar Wood, who scheduled a precautionary MRI scan.
The MRI scan revealed two brain tumors – a large one on the right side, described as the size of a tennis ball, and a smaller one in the middle, likened to the size of a squash ball. George learned that the larger tumor may have been growing for two decades, causing his recent symptoms.
Following an eight-hour debulking surgery and six months of chemotherapy, George now undergoes MRI scans every three months for monitoring. He has had six surgeries on his skull and brain in the past 14 months.
Despite the shocking diagnosis, George feels physically better after receiving specialized nutrition and losing weight. Encouraged by his brother-in-law, a GP, he resumed running. In a remarkable display of resilience, George completed the London Marathon this year in 3 hours and 16 minutes, raising nearly £50,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and the National Brain Appeal.
Currently, George aims to raise £100,000 by year-end through The Gavel Trail and Auction, organized by the Bidpath Foundation – established by his employers post-diagnosis. The auction will feature one-meter-long gavels creatively designed and decorated by commissioned artists. The gavels will be displayed in auction houses throughout September and October, culminating in an auction at the Surveyors House at RICS Westminster, London. Online pre-bidding is now available.
Expressing anticipation for the event, George looks forward to visiting various gavels, particularly at Halls auctioneers, where he started his career.