Hanna Kogelman and her son Archie. Photo: Jacob Kogelman.
When Hanna Kogelman collapsed with a sudden seizure while 32 weeks pregnant, the last thing she expected was to be told she had brain cancer.
Now, less than a year later, the Canberra mum is preparing to undergo her second brain surgery at Canberra Hospital. Hundreds of kilometres away, her brother Jacob Kogelman is preparing to do his bit to help.
The Melbourne resident is training for the 42 km Gold Coast Marathon next month to raise funds for the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation (ABCF), the organisation backing the surgeons and staff treating his sister.
Jacob initially set out to raise $1500, but smashed that within 24 hours. His campaign has now pulled in more than $15,000 and counting.
“If these funds are going to the neurosurgeons at Canberra Hospital … that’s awesome,” he told Region.
Hanna’s nightmare began around this time last year (2024) when she suffered a sudden seizure despite being otherwise healthy and heavily pregnant with her second child.
Doctors discovered she had a “Grade 2 Oligodendroglioma”, a primary brain tumour of the supportive cells of the brain – typically slow growing but likely to recur.
They made the call to delay treatment until after the baby was born, hoping the situation wouldn’t worsen.
“She had Archie, then the scans began and the surgeons came up with a plan,” Jacob said.
“But then there was the post-birth recovery they wanted Hanna to go through first, and it was taking a while.”
Jacob Kogelman runs his first marathon in Melbourne in 2019. Photo: Jacob Kogelman.
Just a few months later, in October 2024, Hanna suffered a second seizure. Doctors fast-tracked surgery and within three weeks Hanna underwent a gruelling seven-hour operation to remove a tumour the size of a mandarin from her frontal lobe.
Back home within five days, recovery brought its own challenges.
“There were a lot of lingering symptoms,” Jacob said.
“The obvious ones in regards to pain having your head cut open, but then also loss of feeling in the head and constantly being itchy. Hanna wasn’t expecting that to be such a large factor.”
Now, scans have revealed remnants of the tumour were not found. Hanna is scheduled to return to Canberra Hospital for a second operation between 16 and 20 June.
“They’re hopeful that after this one there’s no reoccurrence,” Jacob said.
“But unfortunately there’s no cure. She’ll be having constant scans for years.”
A scan reveals the extent of Hanna Kogelman’s tumour. Photo: Supplied.
Despite the circumstances, Jacob said his sister was “taking everything in her stride”.
“She’s very strong and determined. She always has been.”
Jacob, Hanna and their two older siblings are all close despite being spread along the east cost – and have rallied around with visits, phone calls and help with the kids. Their parents, along with the family of Hanna’s partner, are helping out too.
“Obviously, as a family member, you only ever wish it wasn’t happening to them,” Jacob said.
The Melbourne-based brother ran his first marathon in 2019 as a personal goal while recovering from a broken pelvis suffered during a game of footy.
He decided to sign up for the Gold Coast Marathon on 5 to 6 July after noticing the ABCF listed among the supported charities.
“I read through ABCF’s story, and their connection to the hospital Han was at, and decided this was a worthwhile cause.”
The ABCF is funding cutting-edge research at the Australian National University (ANU), including world-first work on “mini-brain organoids” – lab-grown brain tissue that could help develop targeted treatments for glioma tumours such as Hanna’s (these account for about 30 per cent of all brain and central nervous system tumours).
Hanna Kogelman with her partner David and two children Archie and Lucy. Photo: Jacob Kogelman.
The foundation also provides critical support for patients and families through its Canberra Brain Cancer Support Team, offering counselling, home visits and financial assistance.
From 2026, ABCF also plans to launch a Financial Hardship Grant program to help families pay for travel, accommodation, childcare, household expenses and more – even memory-making experiences for those nearing the end of life.
Jacob hoped his run would not only help his sister, but many others in the same fight.
“Post that first operation, I just had to sign up for it.”
Register for the ABCF’s programs on its website. Donate to Jacob Kogleman’s fundraiser online.
