Meet Paul Lytwynec.

Our 2025 London Brain Tumour Walk ambassador.

How have brain tumours impacted you?

In 2018, at the age of 26, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour after having a seizure. This diagnosis led to a challenging journey that included chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. As a result, I was off work for 15 months while focusing on my recovery.

Even today, my brain tumour diagnosis continues to affect me, as I undergo MRI scans every six months and remain on seizure medication. As of May 2025, I’ve had a total of 159 appointments, treatments, or tests, including 24 MRI scans, marking a long and ongoing path of medical care and monitoring.

How did you become involved with Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada?

I became involved with Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada because I wanted to give back. I started by creating a Brain Tumour Walk team called Everyday We Lyt (a subtle play on my motto of “taking it one day at a time” and a short form of my last name).

Over the past six years, we’ve raised $26,830.40 to support Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. We raise money for research that could lead to more effective and life-changing treatments, as well as to spread awareness and offer support to anyone directly or indirectly affected by a brain tumour. But most importantly, we want to ensure that no one faces a brain tumour alone.

During my own journey, I received tremendous support from family and friends, and I know I couldn’t have gotten through it without them. That’s why I’m committed to providing the same kind of support for others who might not have that same support. Not only have I raised money for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, I’ve volunteered as a peer mentor to share my story and experiences, and I was also honoured to be a guest on the first episode of the Beyond Brain Tumours Podcast, where I had the opportunity to share my journey with a wider audience.

How and when have you participated in past Brain Tumour Walks? How will you be participating this year?

I participated in my first Brain Tumour Walk in London with all my family and friends in 2019, while I was still undergoing treatment. Since then, I’ve raised money every single year for the walk with my Everyday We Lyt team.

While we’ve had to miss the actual event a couple of times due to vacations in Chicago and Jamaica, we’ve always found ways to participate. One year, we walked around Navy Pier in Chicago, and another year, we walked on the beach in Jamaica.

This year, I’m excited to be part of the London Brain Tumour Walk organizing committee for the first time. I will also be joined on the walk with my family and friends—the same family and friends that have helped me raise over $26,000 in the last six years.

Why did you decide to join the Brain Tumour Walk organizing committee?

I simply want to help Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in any way I can. The better the Brain Tumour Walk is, the more funds we can raise and the closer we can get to a future with no brain tumours.

The Brain Tumour Walk also brings together those who have been affected by a brain tumour, we can show them that they are not alone on this journey.

Why would you encourage others to participate in the Brain Tumour Walk?

I encourage everyone to participate in the Brain Tumour Walk in any way they can. Every step we take, every dollar we raise, and every person we invite to join makes a difference. We walk united to ensure that no one feels like they have to face a brain tumour alone. We walk for hope, change, and a future without brain tumours.

And quite simply, I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning in June, surrounded by the people you love and going for a walk.