After the huge success of last year’s charity game to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research following the diagnosis and untimely death of Leicestershire player, Andi Peel, players from all over the county will be back on court again this year.
On the 10th of January 2020, Andi had the shock diagnosis of a brain tumour. After brain surgery on the 23rd of January 2020 to remove as much as possible, and a biopsy on what was taken out, it was revealed to be a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumour. As it stands this is incurable due to the location in the brain and tumour type. The average life expectancy after being diagnosed with this specific cancer is 12-18 months.
Andi sadly passed away on 11/01/23 peacefully in his sleep after bravely fighting this disease for 3 years and 1 day and he remains a true inspiration to all that knew him or played alongside him.
Basketball was Andi’s first love. He made so many friends through playing basketball since he was in his early teens. In honour of this a host of his old teammates will be holding another charity basketball game on Sunday 9th of April 2023 to be held at the Morningside Arena, home of the Leicester Riders, to raise as much money as we can for Brain Tumour Research, which is unfortunately extremely underfunded despite being one of the deadliest cancers/diseases.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Andi himself did a lot of fundraising for Brain Tumour Research and was hugely passionate to try and help other families, not only by raising money, but by spreading awareness.
Any donation, of any amount, would be hugely appreciated and will get the charity one step closer to eradicating this awful disease by using the following link.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this.