Jon’s Story
A visit to the optician in February 2002 set the wheels in motion for the life changing diagnosis of a Medulloblastoma brain tumour, explaining the headaches and sickness that 16 year old Jon had been experiencing for the previous couple of months.
Two operations and a heavy and gruelling year of radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed. Apart from the inevitable long term after effects and much medication, Jon was well for the next 6 years and was successful in his GCSE’s, and NVQ’s in Business Administration, winning the Apprentice of the Year Award 2 years running in 2005 and 2006.
“We value the campaigns to increase awareness and aid early diagnosis, and are impressed by the ongoing research (especially into Medulloblastoma) through The Brain Tumour Charity, as our hope for the future”
In October 2008, the results of a late 5 year check up scan showed that the Medulloblastoma had returned. More surgery and more treatment followed. Time and again Jon was given the all clear only for it to reappear within a few months. In 2010 whilst living and working in Bath, the tumour turned up in his neck lymph glands. Six months of daily intensive chemotherapy did the trick for a short while, but it had returned in his brain by April 2011. A third lot of major surgery and more chemotherapy kept Jon going and he was able to enjoy being an usher at his sister Rachel’s wedding in October 2011.
By the following February it had again returned and now did not respond to treatment. Jon died on May 18th 2012. He was 26 years old. He was such a fighter and had battled so hard. He was a loving and caring son, brother and friend and was very loved by all who knew him; he was supported by a strong Christian faith, he was cheerful and courageous with a wonderful smile and quirky sense of fun. He is terribly missed by all his family and friends.
We have decided to support the work of The Brain Tumour Charity because:
We value the campaigns to increase awareness and aid early diagnosis, and are impressed by the ongoing research (especially into Medulloblastoma) through The Brain Tumour Charity, as our hope for the future.
A future in which young people with brain tumours can be permanently cured, without suffering long term debilitating after effects. A future, in which coping with the devastating loss of a young family member through a brain tumour, becomes a thing of the past.