In Hope

In April 2020, as the UK was coming to terms with a national lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of the Wharton family from Flintshire were turned upside down for a completely different reason. Their only child, four-year-old Aaron, was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer. Brave Aaron has since undergone brain surgery, radiotherapy and has had a gastrostomy feeding tube fitted. His latest scan results were stable but Aaron’s parents know that their son’s future is uncertain and they’re determined to make the most of every day together as a family.

Former public relations (PR) officer Abi Smith, from Stirchley in Birmingham, was used to a busy and fast-paced way of life before she was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma in June 2019. After a long-haul flight to America, Abi began to suffer from severe double vision, prompting her to seek medical help whilst overseas. With the results of a CT scan coming back as inconclusive, concerned Abi went to A&E on her return to the UK, and she was admitted to hospital for a month and was given the devastating news that, at just 24 years of age, she had a brain tumour. Since her diagnosis, Abi has retained a positive outlook and wants to share her story to inspire others living with their own diagnosis.

London lad, Adam Carroll, was on a work trip to New York when his brain tumour first revealed itself. Aged 33 at the time, Adam collapsed and was rushed to hospital where he was told the devastating news that he had a high-grade tumour. The months that followed weren’t without their drawbacks but, 18 months on, he is now putting his time and energy into running and fundraising for research into the disease.

“I’ve been through a lot but I truly believe my diagnosis has made me a better person – I’m so much more appreciative of life and I just want to do whatever I can to help others with this disease. By fundraising for research into brain tumours, I know I’m doing something positive.”

Thirty-year-old Adam Dilley from Bedfordshire was just weeks away from becoming a dad when he and his partner Tasha were given the devastating news that he had an aggressive brain tumour. Adam’s shock diagnosis came after months of doctors misdiagnosing him with sinusitis, after he suffered symptoms including headaches, blurred vision and jaw pain. Adam underwent gruelling surgery to remove the tumour but was told it was very likely to grow back. Tasha is due to give birth to a baby boy next month.

Little Albie Turbitt, just 16 months old, from Middleton St George in County Durham, never fully recovered from a bout of gastroenteritis in July 2021. He lost weight and, the usually active Albie, became more sedentary. In October, Albie went to hospital after being sick through the night. An emergency CT scan revealed he had a choroid plexus brain tumour. An operation to remove the tumour was a success, and Albie is back walking again.

Alex Mussard thought the ongoing hearing loss he was experiencing in his right ear was probably caused by listening to music too loudly through his headphones. Three years after his symptoms first appeared and following several misdiagnoses, the 27-year-old was finally diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma brain tumour. Describing himself in his Twitter bio as an ‘acoustic neuroma warrior’, Alex is now seven months post-surgery, back to his full-time job in finance and counting his blessings after his life-changing experience.

Seven-year-old Alexander’s brain tumour diagnosis and subsequent surgery and treatment were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. His devastated family now fear they have no other option than to crowdfund to help pay for a drugs trial and pioneering immunotherapy treatment in Germany which they believe is the only chance to save their beloved son’s life.