Cecilia’s 12-Year Journey: Another City-to-Bay!

2026 marks 12 years since Cecilia Pascale was first diagnosed with a brain tumour, six years since her second diagnosis and the year she turns 40.

“Ladies and gentleman (and everyone else too!), it has now been 12 years since my first diagnosis and 6 years since my second. You got it, 12 years total.”

This September, she will once again join NRF Team Neuro, walking the full 12km to mark 12 years since her first diagnosis.

“I can’t run anymore, but I can still walk,” Cecilia says.

And walk she will. With a fundraising goal of $1,200, she hoped to raise one dollar for every kilometre. She has already smashed that target, thanks to the incredible support of her family, friends and the NRF community.

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A Diagnosis by Chance

In 2014, Cecilia was diagnosed with a oligodendroglioma brain tumour in her left frontal lobe. Remarkably, she had no symptoms. The tumour was discovered almost by accident after a very thorough doctor sent her for a scan.

“I was very lucky that it was caught so early, as I had no symptoms,” Cecilia shared with us.

She was referred to neurosurgeon Dr Nick Vrodos, who successfully operated on the tumour. Following surgery, Cecilia did not require further treatment, although regular MRIs and appointments with her neurosurgical team remained part of her life.

For several years, Cecilia was able to get on with life. She worked as a lawyer, travelled, stayed active and even completed a half marathon in Sydney in 2016.

Then, in 2020, everything changed.

On 31 March 2020, Cecilia suffered a general seizure while grocery shopping alone.

She has no memory of the incident, but was taken to hospital and quickly transferred to the Memorial Hospital, where she had undergone her original surgery.

Investigations revealed that her tumour had changed from an oligodendroglioma to an anaplastic astrocytoma, grade 3.

When Cecilia saw Dr Vrodos, he summed up the situation in just a few words:

“This is a kick in the guts.”

A second operation followed in April 2020. The tumour tissue was sent for genetic investigation, and Cecilia subsequently underwent an intensive course of treatment, including radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy.

The treatment had the intended effect.

But while Cecilia was able to move forward, life after brain tumour treatment looked different.

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Supporting the NRF

Cecilia is a much-loved member of the NRF community.

Over the years, she has raised over $13,000 for brain tumour research in South Australia, while also volunteering her time, facilitating support groups and acting as an ambassador for the NRF.

Her commitment comes from knowing first-hand how important research is for people living with brain tumours.

“That’s why I am keen on fundraising for the NRF – to support research into the discovery of new and better treatments,” Cecilia previously explained.

“I know there is lots of work to be done to improve quality of life outcomes for brain tumour patients.”

For Cecilia, research isn't an abstract concept. It represents the possibility of better treatments and better outcomes for people facing a diagnosis like hers.

Want to learn more about Cecilia’s journey? Watch the video below and hear Cecilia share her experience of diagnosis, treatment, recovering and life after a brain tumour.

You can still support Cecilia and Team NRF Neuro by donating to her fundraiser.

DONATE HERE