In Our Hearts

Less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years

These very brave people will remain in our hearts for ever and it is because of them that we are fighting to find a cure so that no other family should have to suffer in the same way.

"We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too."

Anon

You are forever in our hearts.

Recently published stories

Richard Moon

Richard Moon, a keen rugby player from Speldhurst in Kent, was diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma in February 2008, just one month after celebrating his 14^th birthday. He had been suffering with headaches, sickness and fainting spells for about five months and was told he had glandular fever, Hepatitis B and norovirus before being accused of making himself sick in order to miss school. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and went into remission twice before dying in August 2013, aged 19.

Paul Marshall

Motorcycle lover, Paul Marshall, 59, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, started having headaches and problems with his vision in August 2020. He was initially treated for sinus problems but when the symptoms persisted, he had an MRI scan which revealed a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour. Paul had three operations and had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He died at home in July 2022 with his loving family by his side. His wife, Michelle, is taking part in Wear A Hat Day to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Jim Miller

Jim Miller, 49, from Paisley, died from a brain tumour in January 1994, just four months after being diagnosed. Jim, a tax inspector at HMRC, went to his GP after his daughter Barbara Graham, 48, noticed his “odd behaviour”. He was referred to hospital where an MRI scan revealed he had a brain tumour. Barbara and her work colleagues will be taking part in Wear A Hat Day to raise money for Brain Tumour Research on Friday 31 March 2023.

Christopher Todd

Husband, father, and grandfather, Christopher Todd was 63 when he was diagnosed with an aggressive grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour after suffering violent headaches and stroke-like symptoms. As he underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy his daughter Vicky set about raising funding for research to help get him better. With the support of his family, Christopher fought his illness but passed away in hospital in November 2016 at the age of 65.

“When dad was diagnosed I just couldn’t understand how this could happen. How can so many people have brain tumours yet so little be known? I was flabbergasted to learn that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet receive so little funding. How can it be right that just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease? I cannot sit by and let this happen so I set about fundraising for Brain Tumour Research to help my dad get better.”
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Claire Airzee

As a great-great grandmother, Claire’s pride and joy was her family and, aged 84, she was still able to drive, cook and care for friends and relatives. But, in November 2017, she suffered a seizure. Diagnosed with several brain tumours, her illness had irreversible effects on her personality and towards the end of her life she wasn’t even able to recognise her children. Since losing her mum, Claire’s daughter Amanda has fundraised for the Brain Tumour Research charity, and she is determined to raise awareness of how dreadful the disease can be.

“When Mum was discharged from hospital, it was horrible to see how badly the tumours affected her. She could no longer do the things she loved; she didn’t read, she struggled to make a cup of tea, and, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t even put letters in the boxes of her daily crossword. Her whole life was turned upside down.”

Claire Hollister

My darling daughter, Claire, had her life cut short by a brain tumour - the very same disease which had killed my sister, Valerie, 10 years previously. Claire was just 30 years old when she passed away, just 14 months after diagnosis with a grade IV gliosarcoma.

“It was at this point I realised the “small lump” must be life threatening. It all felt so unreal - to go from everything being so normal and then there we were looking this deadly disease in the eye.”
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Clive Gathercole

Husband and father of four boys, Clive Gathercole was eventually diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour after suffering months of health problems. He died in August 2012.

“In my anger I thought about complaining about the terrible care we received and the problems with securing a proper diagnosis, but I am not sure looking back at the past negatively is helpful, so instead as a family we are forging ahead with our fundraising plans to fund more research into brain tumours. I would hate to think of other families facing what we have been through, and think the lack of awareness of this disease is a tragedy in its own right.”
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Colin Burt

Colin Burt, from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, was 49 when he died from a brain tumour he had bravely fought for five years. Colin was happily married to Fiona and together they enjoyed a life full of love, travel and music. Colin underwent two brain surgeries and several courses of radiotherapy before his treatment options eventually ran out. He died at home in August 2019, leaving his 43-year-old wife Fiona heartbroken and facing the rest of her life without her ‘soulmate’.

Colin Goldberg

Semi-retired heating engineer Colin Goldberg died in November 2021, 14 months after being diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The much-loved 67-year-old, of Croydon in South London, was initially thought to have suffered a stroke after experiencing some confusion and a drooping of his face. He was scheduled for a craniotomy and told to isolate for one week prior to surgery due to the risk of catching COVID-19, but he was rushed into hospital early after suffering a seizure. He went on to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy but his health continued to decline. He died at home with his family, and his daughter, the youngest of his three children, holding his hand.

Colin Shaw

Passionate flat-green bowler Colin Shaw was 69 years old and 11 years into his retirement when he collapsed unexpectedly. Initially thinking it was a reaction to malaria tablets taken in preparation for a forthcoming holiday, he and his wife were shocked to learn that he had an aggressive grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour.

With a second tumour discovered nine months later, Colin lost his fight only 18 months after the first diagnosis, with his family all around him.

“If there is such a thing as a perfect death, Colin had it. We were all there, me and our three daughters, when he quietly slipped away.”

Collette Drifte

Freelance writer and loving wife Collette had plans for a blissful retirement with her husband of 29 years, Reinhard. However, after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme in August 2016, her dreams of travelling and relaxing were tragically cut short. She faced her illness with optimism and courage, bringing laughter to all those around her, until she sadly passed away at the age of 65 with her husband at her bedside.

“I could see that she was drifting away from us and, as she slipped into a coma, the feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming. I had done all I could to help her. I was woken up by the night nurse who told me Collette was about to die. I’m grateful that this allowed me to be with my wonderful wife for one last time.”

Craig Johnston

We are grateful to Craig who worked with us in September 2020 to share his story here. Sadly, he passed away in November 2021. We remember Craig as we continue our work to raise awareness of this devastating disease and to fund research to help find a cure. He will be forever in our hearts.

Craig Johnston was diagnosed with an astrocytic brain tumour in 2018. The 33-year old dad-of-two from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham has since had two brain surgeries, radiotherapy and is currently on his second course of chemotherapy to treat the cancer. Determined not to let his diagnosis defeat him, Craig has turned to fitness, setting himself ambitious goals as he tackles the disease head-on. He is now in training for the prestigious Ironman UK endurance event, due to take place in Bolton in July 2021, with the ultimate aim of earning a place in the Ironman world championships at Kona, Hawaii.

Dale Barclay

Dale, a musician, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour in early December 2017 after suffering a number of seizures and then an excruciating headache with vomiting. He underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and was stable for a few months until an MRI scan revealed regrowth. Dale was turned down for further surgery on the NHS, but had a craniotomy privately. Five days later, he woke with a terrible headache which led to a seizure, lost consciousness and died of a cerebro-oedema on 25 September 2018 at 32 years old.

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