As Casualty’s closing credits rolled this evening, the show’s four million viewers were left on tenterhooks wondering if nurse Robyn would have her happy ending after she planned a romantic proposal to boyfriend Glen – unaware that he was planning to pop the question to her, too.
But romance is replaced by an anxious wait as Glen’s health takes a dramatic turn for the worse.
And the actors have praised us for our support in helping them to portray the characters and devastating impact of living with the poor prognosis of a glioblastoma – 12-18 months on average.
Owain told us, “Finding out that you’re terminally ill is probably the hardest thing to cope with.
“I had to put myself in this situation and relate to it somehow and make sure I stayed sensitive and true to the people who deal with having a terminal brain tumour every day – that’s why The Brain Tumour Charity’s advice was so crucial.”
Amanda added: “Robyn is head over heels in love with Glen and is shattered that he has only a short time to live. Every day, people like Robyn have to come to terms with their partners being told they have a brain tumour. It has been such a support working with The Brain Tumour Charity to reflect this.“
Glen saying that he doesn’t want to be treated “like a bunch of symptoms” will have resonated with many of you, including one of our supporters, Oliver Highway, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in April 2012 at the age of 39.
Oliver, who did the Warwick Twilight Walk with us on October 2, said, “As you have to gradually accept that your life has changed forever, it is so important to still feel like a person and not a patient or list of symptoms.“
We were approached for our advice on this powerful storyline by the show’s producers way back in December. Working with Casualty as Glen and Robyn’s emotional story unfolds has helped raise awareness about brain tumours, the UK’s biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.
Sarah Lindsell, our chief executive, said: “It highlights our vital mission of defeating brain tumours to stop more people going through the heartache of this cruel disease
“When people are diagnosed with a brain tumour, the word we hear again and again from them and their families is that they feel ‘alone’
“When they come to us, they no longer feel alone. Each and every one of them is special to us.”
Oliver Kent, Casualty’s executive producer, said: “We are hugely grateful to The Brain Tumour Charity for all its help and expert advice on this big storyline for Glen and Robyn.
“It has allowed us to accurately portray the impact of the disease to our audience.“