In March 2023, Conor Flood received life changing news at the age of just 28. He was diagnosed with a fast growing cancerous mass in his nasal sinus passage that was invading the base of his skull and brain. Initially thought to be an olfactory neuroblastoma, it was later determined to be a sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Over the next 25 months, Conor underwent a series of investigations under the care of Salford Royal Neurosurgeon and Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre Strategy Lead, Professor Omar Pathmanaban and his team. They included multiple MRI and CT scans, two major operations to radically remove the original tumour and subsequently, removal of two separate tumours affecting distant parts of the brain, 13 weeks of daily radiotherapy and 10 cycles of chemotherapy.

Now his extraordinary resilience and drive will see him and his wife Elle take part in the Manchester 10k run on Sunday 18 May to raise awareness and funds for the centre.  He will do this only a month after his last round of chemotherapy. Conor intends to use his time in good health to raise as much money as possible for charities and research centres that have played a pivotal role in his treatment, hoping that the funds will benefit others with similar diseases.

Due to the rarity of his cancer, much of Conor’s treatment was based on discovery science and experimental medicine, requiring collaboration and research with colleagues across multiple expert fields such as The University of Manchester and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.

He says: “When you are born in Manchester, you innately become incredibly proud to be a Mancunian. Thankfully, I was born in Manchester, home to incredible research centres like the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre. This centre treats the most brain tumour patients in the UK and is the only centre in the country to offer all modalities of treatment, including proton beam therapy. The GJBR Centre has been fundamental in providing research, support, and care for me over the last two years.”

To support Conor’s fundraising efforts, visit his Just Giving page

Related