A Staffordshire Police Federation workplace rep has organised a rugby match to raise funds for a brain cancer charity.
Dave Stubbs, who is living with a brain tumour himself, initially arranged a sevens tournament to take place in September but it was cancelled as a mark of respect when the Queen died.
He has now organised a full 15-a-side game between the Combined Service Barbarians and Newport Salop.
The match takes place on Sunday 27 November at Stafford RUFC and proceeds will be donated to national charity Brain Tumour Support.
Dave said: “Obviously, this is a cause which is very close to my heart so I would urge as many people as possible to come along, watch the game and help raise awareness and funds for this amazing charity which has supported me throughout.
“The charity provides support to anyone affected by a brain tumour, at any point from the diagnosis and for as long as support is needed. It not only supports the patients themselves but also families, carers and loved ones who are dealing with the day-to-day impact of a brain tumour.
“The charity provides specialist, tailor-made services through one-to-one and group support as well as online and telephone support and specialist counselling.
“It has also given me a new lease of life by fundraising for it, of which my force has been very supportive and allowed me to do such work.”
Dave, a detective constable with the Force, said he had also received constant support from Staffordshire Police Federation and had spent time at the Police Treatment Centre in Auchterarder, Scotland.
He was given the devastating news that he had a brain tumour last year and told that the only treatment was surgery which came with a lot of risks.
He said: “To try to get my head around the need for surgery, I tried to imagine how big the tumour was.
“It was only when my wife went around the kitchen with a ruler and realised the tumour was actually the size of a satsuma, I came to terms with the fact that surgery was the only option if I was to have any chance of survival.”
In September last year, Dave underwent major surgery during which it was discovered that the tumour had wrapped itself around the main vein in his brain which meant not all of it could be removed.
“The biopsy showed that it was a Grade 1 Meningioma and because there was only a small big left behind, other treatment options would now be available if the tumour started to grow again,” explained Dave, who was told that he had been living with the tumour for between nine and 15 years.
By sharing his experience, Dave is also hoping to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms and the impact a brain tumour can have on a person’s life.
“Looking back over the last nine years a number of things now make sense to me and I realise I had been displaying symptoms for some time,” said Dave, who explained he had experienced regular headaches, felt tired but struggled to sleep and saw a change in his personality.
But he said being diagnosed with a brain tumour had led him to slow down and appreciate the people around him more.
He said: “I have become much closer to my family who have been amazing. My marriage is stronger and my wife, Rachel, tells me that my personality has gone back to what it was eight years ago. And my son has been a superstar throughout all of this.”
Find out more about Brain Tumour Support charity.
