Karl

Karl was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma in January 2018. A keen mountain biker, he was ready to get back on his bike a year after his first treatment, something he didn’t think would be possible again.

As he had already sold his bike, the Trust were happy to gift Karl and his partner Rachel brand new mountain bikes, as well as a shotgun seat for their son Lachlan.

Rachel shares the special times Karl and their family spent on the bikes, whizzing happily along the trails together. Sadly, Karl passed away in September 2021.

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Karl loved mountain biking. Being out on the trails away from everything, pushing himself physically and the thrill of the ride. Karl was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma in January 2018. When he was unable to work due to his treatment and symptoms, he made the decision to sell his beloved bike. This was to help us a bit financially but also because he didn’t think he’d ever be able to mountain bike again. A year after his treatment finished, he was at a point where his symptoms had improved, and he felt he could go riding again.

Thanks to the support of the White Matter Brain Cancer Trust, we were able to purchase a mountain bike not only for Karl but also for me. We were also able to buy a Kids Ride Shotgun seat and handlebars for our son Lachlan, who was two years old at the time. That summer we had the most amazing time riding mostly in the Redwoods together. Lachlan loved riding shotgun with his dad. It warms my heart to remember the sound of him giggling and whooping, and Karl quietly chuckling with a grin on his face as they tore around the Redwoods, terrifying a few other riders with the tracks they were on and the speed they rode them. Karl assured me it was all good and “I don’t take him off jumps”. Throughout the Covid lockdowns in 2020, Karl and Lachlan would go for their almost daily rides around the neighbourhood. Karl also went riding with other friends and family.

Sadly, Karl experienced a recurrence of his cancer in December 2020 and once again his riding days were over before he passed away in September 2021. I will forever be thankful to the White Matter Brain Cancer Trust for their support that allowed us to have these awesome experiences as a family and gave Karl the opportunity to do what he loved again.