In Hope
Just 1% of the national research spend has been allocated to this devastating disease
The diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating, however there is hope. We have been fortunate to meet some very brave people who have survived to tell the tale and who want to share their story to give hope to others.
Recently published stories
Stu Farrimond
Hospital doctor Stu Farrimond from Trowbridge had to give up his career in medicine after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The diagnosis came about by chance after he was being tested for a hormone imbalance in 2008. He underwent surgery but in 2019 the tumour returned and he was diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma. A third operation was followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Over the last 15 years, Stu, now 41, has retrained as a teacher and has made a career as a science author working across various TV channels and working for the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA).
Read moreEmma Taylor
Private dental hygienist Emma Taylor was 34-weeks weeks pregnant when she was rushed into hospital suffering from a catastrophic brain bleed. It was later revealed this had been caused by a brain tumour growing at the base of her skull. The 33-year-old, of Chelmsford, Essex, was put in an induced coma before giving birth to her baby by emergency caesarean. She remained unconscious for weeks and is still unable to talk but communicates using head and hand movements, as well as via a computerised device. To progress her recovery, her partner has set up a GoFundMe page to help fund a bespoke rehabilitation programme.
Read moreSimon Penwright
Operations director Simon Penwright was diagnosed with a multifocal glioblastoma (GBM) after waking with a severe headache and a foul but inexplicable taste and smell in January. The 52-year-old, who works for a manufacturing machinery company and lives in Stewkley, Buckinghamshire, has been given a prognosis of just 12 months. He underwent surgery in February followed by three weeks of high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He is currently undergoing further chemo, having just completed his second round of temozolomide.
Read moreAll stories
Ali Herbert
Since Ali was diagnosed with a brain tumour and epilepsy in April 2005, she has faced life with a smile despite the ups-and-downs of her illness. Having a great support network around her – in particular her dog Harry, who was able to sense the onset of her seizures – she has taken everything in her stride. Now she has participated in an indoor skydive to help fund research into the disease.
“The 13 years that have passed since my diagnosis have been full of ups-and-downs but I am determined to beat each challenge and keep living my life to the full. I’m in a battle with my tumour and choose to use positive mental attitude, good humour and determination to keep on smiling.”
Read moreAlison Goodrum
Alison was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma at the age of 44 after suffering with headaches for many years. They gradually became worse until she was also having to cope with blurred vision, vomiting, exhaustion and even pain when walking. Alison’s diagnosis only came about after being sent for an emergency hospital appointment by an optician and her refusing to believe that all was fine after undergoing a range of tests, leading to her having an MRI scan.
Read moreAlison Wheatley
When Alison, from Seaton in Devon, first heard voices and buzzing she thought this could be a sign of epilepsy or hormone related. But, as the episodes became more frequent she was referred to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where an MRI scan showed a mass on her brain. Alison was diagnosed with an astrocytoma and has since had three operations and undergone gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. She shares her experience of living and working with a brain tumour and hopes to encourage others who have been diagnosed, demonstrating that, for some patients, it is possible to lead a fulfilling life after diagnosis.
Read moreAmanda Day
Talented artist Amanda Day had always been top of the class and was hardworking at school, but when her health began to deteriorate, she started to fall behind. After struggling for months to get to the root of her symptoms, Amanda was diagnosed with a small pilocytic astrocytoma in her brainstem. Now, she is left with irreversible and long-term effects of the radiation treatment she had four years ago. She is coming to terms with the fact she may never achieve her aspirations of going to university, owning a home and having a child.
“It frustrates me that most of my symptoms are due to the radiotherapy treatment I had four years ago, as opposed to the tumour itself. The treatment has left me with long-term symptoms, such as short-term memory loss and confusion, which will get worse over time. It has had a devastating impact on my education and daily life is a big struggle.”
Read moreAmanda Stevens
Freelance training consultant Amanda Stevens, 42, was diagnosed with a grade 2 meningioma in June 2016, after suffering from persistent headaches. She married her partner of 24 years, Ian, nine months after her diagnosis and thought she’d seen the back of her illness when, in August 2018, her tumour recurred. Now, five months on from a gruelling 11-hour operation, Amanda is doing well and is keen to help raise awareness by holding a fundraising ball on Wear A Hat Day. Read moreAmber Hanna
Teenager Amber Hanna, from Belfast, suffered from migraines for as long as she could remember. After several years of going back and forth to the doctor to try find the cause, her brain tumour diagnosis eventually came in February 2020, when her tumour burst and she was rushed to hospital having suffered a serious haemorrhage. Amber, 17, went on to have brain surgery to remove the low-grade tumour and is now, finally, on the road to recovery.
Read moreAmy Drummond
Sales Manager Amy Drummond was just 13 years old when she began to experience small seizures and memory loss while studying for her GCSEs. After visiting numerous doctors in a bid to find out what was wrong with her, she was finally diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour. Fortunately, Amy was able to have the tumour removed by surgery, but the tumour took its toll on her being able to enjoy teenage life too. Now, as she heads towards the milestone of turning 30, Amy is determind to not let her past affect her future.
“I have always been open with people about what I went through as a teenager and how it changed me as a person. Looking back, I missed out on school, socialising, dating, playing sport and even making friends. I would even say my brain tumour robbed me of my teenage years.”
Read moreAmy Mitchell
Amy was on honeymoon when she first experienced symptoms
she later discovered were being caused by a brain tumour. Initially dismissed
as an ear infection, her headaches were being caused by an acoustic neuroma.
Treatment was initially delayed by her pregnancy and then once more during the
coronavirus pandemic. Amy is now post-surgery, recovering well and waiting to
hear what the future will bring.
Anastasia Ogden
In September, three-year-old Anastasia Ogden, of Hailsham in East Sussex, was diagnosed with a fast-growing form of brain cancer known as atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT). After an emergency CT scan revealed her tumour was bleeding, causing it to expand and suffocate her brain, she underwent a life-saving surgery, where more than 90% of it was removed. It took her almost three weeks to come round fully and appease fears that she could have been left brain damaged. She has had two further surgeries to treat hydrocephalus, including one to have a shunt placed, and is now undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Anastasia Pybus
After Anastasia from Romsey in Hampshire landed her dream job as a financial consultant she began to experience migraines. Concerned for her health, she had a private MRI scan and the day before her graduation from The University of Kent in March 2022, she was told she had an inoperable astrocytoma. At the age of 23 she has undergone fertility preservation before starting a long term course of chemotherapy. As she nears the end of her first intensive phase of treatment, Anastasia wants to share her story of what is like to be a young woman with a life-changing diagnosis.