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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

Mike Scott

Husband and father Mike Scott was enjoying early retirement in Gloucestershire after a successful business career when he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM). He underwent surgery and died nine months later in the most tragic of circumstances during a BBQ with his close family. His widow Mary made a significant donation to Brain Tumour Research which enabled the launch of the fourth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in Sutton, Surrey.

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Emily Oliver

Emily Oliver, a University of Nottingham nursing student, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, later identified as a diffuse midline glioma (DMG) – also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – in January 2018. She underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy before travelling to a clinic in Germany, where, following a biopsy, she received personalised vaccines and another course of radiotherapy. She survived 18 months from diagnosis, passing away in a hospice in July 2019, aged 21.

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Alex Pendleton

Alex Pendleton was diagnosed with a brain tumour, later identified as a glioblastoma (GBM), in March 2021 after experiencing slurred speech and severe confusion. He had also been feeling sick and experiencing a strange sense of smell and taste, but he initially attributed these to possible symptoms of COVID-19. Alex, from Stotfold, Bedfordshire, had a biopsy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, before spending 17 months on various chemo drugs. His treatment came to end following the growth of a second tumour and after a critically low platelet count prevented him, despite a transfusion, from continuing with chemo. He died in a hospice in June 2023, aged 42.

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All stories

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’.

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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.

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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.”

 
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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.

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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.

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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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Dan Abel

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. 

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Dan Potts

We are grateful to Dan who worked with us in November 2022 to share his story here. Sadly, he passed away in August 2023. We remember Dan 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.

Dan Potts, 46, from Cumbria, loved going to the gym and keeping active with his wife Liah. He started getting headaches in December 2018, but it took two years and three MRI scans for Dan to be diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour. He had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and he is on four different medications to try and control his seizures. Dan and Liah are now preparing for their “last Christmas together”. They are crowdfunding for Brain Tumour Research and to make final memories.

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Daniel Franklin

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.

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