Farren Buckley was young, fit, and full of plans when her life changed suddenly. At just 24, the marathon runner was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer shortly after returning to Australia from a year living in London.
For almost two years, Farren had experienced headaches, fatigue, vision problems, and unusual sensations in one arm. Because the symptoms were mild and appeared only from time to time, they were dismissed as nothing serious. She was told to continue with her life, and she did, believing she was healthy.
Everything changed when her symptoms suddenly became severe. After initially being sent home from hospital, she suffered a seizure. Scans later revealed a large tumour in her brain. She underwent emergency surgery, followed by a diagnosis that turned her world upside down.
Since then, Farren has faced surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While recent scans show the tumour is shrinking, treatment has brought major life changes. She lost her hair, paused her career, and was unable to exercise for months. She says the emotional and social impact has been just as challenging as the physical illness.
Now 25, Farren shares her story to encourage others to listen to their bodies. She urges people to push for answers when something feels wrong, even if symptoms seem small. Her experience shows that serious illness can affect anyone, even those who appear young, healthy, and strong.
