Devoted husband takes on running challenge after wife’s spinal tumour
Just days after finishing the world’s biggest half marathon, Jill Heaton’s world was turned upside down when a chest pain check-up led to a devastating spinal cord tumour diagnosis.
The fit palliative care nurse completed the Great North Run last September with husband and running partner Neil. But Jill, 52, began suffering chest pains around three weeks later, which then moved to her lower back making walking a struggle. An initial scan suggested wear and tear, but a second one revealed a tumour the size of a pea in her spinal cord.
“A month after running a half marathon Jill was going into major surgery. We were told she could be paralysed and blind as a result of the operation, it was just horrible. Telling our boys was one of the worst moments of my life,” said father-of-two Neil from Burnley.
Jill has been in Preston Hospital and Rakehead Rehabilitation Unit since the operation and Neil added: “She’s undertaking months of intense rehabilitation. She uses a wheelchair but is now able to walk short distances with the help of nurses.
“Her previous fitness is helping and she’s definitely moving in the right direction. We hope that in time she can make a full recovery and we can’t wait to have her home again.”
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone, at any time with devastating consequences.
Neil is now aiming to run a half marathon a month in 2026 for Spinal Research. He completed the first in Preston last month and aims to cross the line of his 10th half marathon on October 10 – a year to the day since Jill’s surgery.
“I find it really helpful to get out and run and I’m hoping I can stay fit and complete the challenge for Spinal Research, for Jill and all those who suddenly find their lives turned upside down after a spinal cord injury.”
Spinal Research is the leading UK charity funding and supporting the best research around the world to develop life-changing new treatments and therapies for those paralysed after a spinal cord injury.
Suzanne Redding, Head of Audience and Community, said: “With the first function restoring treatment in history now available and more breakthrough therapies coming, we urgently need to raise funds to get them to more than 105,000 people living every day in the UK with a devastating spinal cord injury.
“So, we are incredibly grateful to Neil for taking on this amazing challenge for us so soon after Jill’s diagnosis. Every pound raised really does take us a step closer to our goal of curing paralysis”.
To support Neil go to his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-heaton-7