George - kicking cancer's butt since 2022

George is an amazing, wonderful, huge hearted, young man with a full life ahead of him. However, at just 26, George was diagnosed with a brain tumour following a worsening of symptoms that prompted a trip to A&E. Initially benign, George underwent 2 operations, 6 weeks of radiotherapy and multiple chemotherapy cycles, which thankfully shrank the tumour and allowed him to rest. But, he returned for an MRI scan which revealed devastating news - a massive increase in growth of the tumour, now likely cancerous. A major craniotomy operation then confirmed his tumour a Grade 4 cancerous Astrocytoma. The tumour, and operation, left him with severely reduced movement on his left side, drastically reducing his mobility to the point where he was unable to walk independently. Together with his lack of movement and his reduced cognitive abilities he now totally relies on his wife Hannah, his parents and his brother.

From being a young man in his prime, a DJ, loving his music and concerts, going to watch his beloved Arsenal, in the middle of his masters degree, and finding his soulmate in Hannah, to now being restricted to a wheelchair and having to rely on his wife and parents to look after him. Not being able to just ‘go for a walk’, go to the cinema, go and do whatever the mood takes you, is beyond tough, and is now his ongoing reality.

This was a year ago, and since then he has undergone further chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which has showed little to no result, and has now been told that all NHS treatments have been exhausted. This devastating news prompted in-depth research & information for other treatments further afield, resulting in a conversation with the world-renowned neuro oncologist Dr Stefan Van Gool at the IOZK Treatment Centre in Cologne, Germany for immunotherapy where George was invited for an assessment.

Due to the brain tumour he was unable to fly, so George, Hannah & George’s parents drove the 8 hour journey from London to Cologne. The assessment there was positive with the initial immunotherapy commencing, with a return every 4 weeks. This was the hope George needed!

Initially this treatment was paid for by George’s family, but further financial support was given as gifts at George and Hannah’s wedding in May 2024, a beautiful day celebrating George & Hannah’s deep love for each other, especially in the face of an uncertain future.

Several return trips to Germany occurred with positive results, one of which was a reduction of the tumour by 50% seen on the scan performed at the Royal Marsden in spring 2024! However, the money has quickly dwindled due to the expensive cost of the lifesaving immunotherapy treatment - each treatment cycle costs on average £15,000 per monthly visit. This is where your help is needed to enable George to continue with this amazing treatment, for his care needs and to continue to make progress, where he is now even considering returning to work. Without this treatment George’s future is an uncertain one and one in which his time left with us may be short. There is no more NHS treatment available, but every immunotherapy session brings hope. Any donation, however small, is deeply appreciated to help George with fighting this devastatingly aggressive cancerous brain tumour, his care needs and to give him the chance of a brighter future that he can enjoy with his loved ones. George, his wife Hannah, his parents Alison and Mike, his brother James, and all of George’s family and friends are so immensely grateful for your support.