In Our Hearts

Probate genealogist Dan Abel was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma in 2012 after a Specsavers optician noticed swelling on both his optic nerves. The father-of-three, from Rayleigh, Essex, had been suffering with headaches, impaired vision and occasional weakness in his arms and legs, but all of his symptoms had been attributed to migraines. He underwent three brain surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy but died at home in his wife’s arms four years later. He was 43 years old. 

Daniel Franklin, a kitchen assistant from Worthing, West Sussex, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in October 2020 after suffering with balance problems and sickness. The location of the tumour on his brain stem rendered it inoperable but he did have radiotherapy. He went on to have chemotherapy, which proved ineffective, and a second round of radiotherapy, which he complemented with holistic treatments. Sadly, from August 2021, his health began to deteriorate and he died at home three months later at the age of 26.

Daniel Payne, of Brackley, Northamptonshire, had already been treated for testicular cancer when, in 2006, at the age of 22, he was diagnosed with an incurable grade 2 astrocytoma. During his 13-year-long battle with the disease, he not only faced testicular cancer a second time but underwent four brain surgeries, developing an abscess and a serious infection as a result. The last three months of his life were the most difficult as his tumour progressed to a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and he lost control of his body, ultimately deciding he did not want to continue with treatment. He died at home by his loving wife’s side on 23 December 2019.

The Danny Green Fund was set up when his parents lost their gorgeous son Danny at the age of 11. Before he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, their beautiful, fun loving and energetic son was a typical 10-year-old in every way, very much living for the moment and enjoying life. Tragically, Danny died just nine months after diagnosis, leaving a void which will never be filled.

“Our hearts are broken and can never be repaired. To lose a child is unbearable and should not happen. Danny is the inspiration for our charity: to raise funds to help children with Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which was Danny’s main battle on a daily basis, to fund research to help find a cure, as well as to raise awareness of this devastating disease to hopefully prevent other children from suffering as Danny did...”

Danny Griffiths, from Bingham in Nottinghamshire, was 57 when he died from a brain tumour he bravely fought for two-and-a-half years. Danny was happily married to Andrea and a proud father to Olivia, 22. Danny’s tumour was inoperable but he underwent palliative chemotherapy to try to prolong his life. He spent his final weeks being cared for at home by Andrea and Olivia and tragically died in December 2020, having contracted COVID-19 just days before. Olivia, who has just qualified as a nurse, is now keen to raise awareness of the disease, which killed her dad and tore her family apart. 

Daryl Owens was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma when he was 34 years old. He always stayed positive, approaching everything with a sense of humour, and his condition at one point stabilised. After two years however, Daryl began to deteriorate and in October 2018, three years since his diagnosis, he passed away with his wife Jude and his parents by his side.

We are grateful to Dave who worked with us in September 2015 to share his story here. Sadly, he passed away in February 2019. We remember Dave 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.

Father-of-three Dave Holden is living with a grade 3 astrocytoma brain tumour. It was diagnosed in 2010 after he began to experience difficulty driving. The tumour responded well to 18 months of chemotherapy and radiation but a scan in March 2015 revealed it had returned. Dave continues to work full-time and remains positive about the future.

“I can’t be bothered with the doom and gloom. I have always been quite a positive person and now it is more important than ever. I do have days where I can feel down, but my wife gives me a kick to help me get over it. We have the kids to think about and I need to be here and on good form for as long as I can in order to look after my family.”

We are grateful to Dave and his wife Nicki who worked with us in September 2021 to share his story here. Sadly, he passed away in November 2021. We remember Dave 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.

On 1 September 2020, the lives of Dave Hopkins and his family changed forever, when the father-of-three from Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Dave had a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common type of primary high-grade brain tumour in adults, carrying with it a very stark prognosis. On finding out about his devastating prognosis, Dave’s family and friends rallied round to raise as much money as possible to try to extend his life. They also galvanised the support of their MP. His wife Nicki is passionate about campaigning for more funding for research into brain tumours.