A father from Surrey is channelling his grief into a powerful campaign for change, as he faces a second Christmas without his beloved son.
A Father's Mission in Memory of Chevy
José Maria, 64, from Redhill, is dedicating his efforts to the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal. This follows the devastating loss of his son, Chevy de Abreu, who died at age 34 in April 2024 after a three-year battle with an astrocytoma.
Chevy's tumour was situated in a highly sensitive area of the brain, ruling out surgical intervention. Despite enduring three cycles of chemotherapy and a six-week course of radiotherapy, he passed away on 6 April 2024.
Carrying a Legacy of Hope Forward
José Maria is determined to uphold the hope that defined his son's fight. "Hope was Chevy’s North Star," he reflected. "Even when the doctor told him nothing more could be done, he held onto that hope. I want to carry on Chevy’s theme of hope and encourage everyone to support the Christmas Appeal."
His motivation is clear: to spare other families the profound pain he now endures. "I hope research will lead to a cure so other families don’t suffer the pain of losing their children," he added.
To date, José Maria has raised an impressive more than £6,500 through dedicated fundraising. His challenges included the Walk of Hope and the gruelling Route to Research, where he trekked 676 miles – symbolising the distance between the charity's five Centres of Excellence across the UK.
In a poignant tribute, he recently placed two commemorative tiles on the Wall of Hope at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London. Each tile represents the cost of funding a full day of research.
The Stark Reality of Brain Tumour Funding
José Maria's campaign highlights a critical issue in cancer research. While brain tumours affect over 100,000 people in the UK, research into them has historically received just 1% of the national cancer research spend.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, echoed the urgency. "Chevy’s story is devastating. With one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, we stand with José Maria in demanding more research, more funding and better treatments," he stated.
The charity funds dedicated Centres of Excellence and tirelessly campaigns for increased investment from both the government and charitable sectors to improve survival rates. Every donation to their Christmas Appeal directly supports this game-changing work.
José Maria's journey is a powerful testament to a father's love and a resolute call to action for anyone who can support the cause this Christmas.
