A local man has completed one of the world's most famous distance races to honour his brother's incredible recovery from a serious illness. This heartfelt effort aims to increase vital funding and public understanding for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Brother's Health Battle
Joe Eamer, a 37-year-old from Cirencester, faced a daunting health battle when he was only a teenager. After initially being told he had migraines, doctors eventually found a large growth that required an immediate operation. This particular form of cancer is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 40 in the UK. Having survived the ordeal, Joe now works as a paramedic for the NHS, using his personal history to help provide care for others.
Joe said: “I remember being told I had a 7.5cm brain tumour and that I needed immediate surgery. It was a huge shock. At the time, the hardest part wasn’t the treatment itself, but getting to the point of diagnosis. Once I was in the system, the care I received was exceptional, and I owe my life to the incredible medical teams who treated me. I was very lucky. I’ve been able to go on to live a full life, build a career, and start a family. But not everyone gets that outcome, and that’s why continued research and funding are so important.”
The surgery took place at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where medical experts managed to take out the vast majority of the mass. Even though he dealt with temporary movement issues during a difficult period of healing, he has since built a successful life and family with his wife, Emma.
Marathon Effort
Moved by this journey, his brother Harry Chapman-Eamer decided to tackle the TCS London Marathon. The 34-year-old safety consultant finished the course in 3 hours and 49 minutes to support the national charity. Harry said: “Joe’s diagnosis turned all of our lives upside down. Watching him face life-changing surgery and a challenging recovery was heartbreaking, yet it showed me the incredible strength of his spirit—and the lifesaving power of medical care and support. But too many brain tumour patients are still dying and we need to fund more research to find a cure. I have already raised over £5,000, which is almost enough to fund two full days of research at one of the Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence. Running the London Marathon for this cause is my way of giving back, raising awareness, and bringing hope to families when they are facing the unthinkable.”
Statistics and Charity Response
Statistics show that more than 1,000 people across the country will receive a similar diagnosis on May 01, 2026, or during any typical month. However, historically, only 1% of total cancer research spending has been directed toward this specific disease. Carole Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Harry for taking on the London Marathon in honour of his brother Joe. Stories like Joe’s highlight both the challenges patients face in receiving a diagnosis and the life-saving impact of expert care and research. Support from fundraisers like Harry is vital in helping us move closer to a cure and ensuring that more families facing a brain tumour diagnosis have hope for the future.”
The organisation maintains several specialist hubs and asks for an increase in annual government investment to £35 million. To contribute to Harry’s fundraising total, you can visit his donation page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/harry-chapman-eamer-3
