A grandmother who was diagnosed with “deadliest brain cancer” after paying for a private MRI scan is hoping to raise a quarter of a million pounds and triple her life expectancy, so she can share special moments with her grandchildren, including seeing her granddaughter go to prom. Alison Horspool, 61, was diagnosed with glioblastoma IDH – wildtype grade 4, after being taken to hospital on Christmas day last year with “burning pins and needles” down the left side of her body and slurred speech.
Doctors first thought Alison had suffered a stroke, but she was not 100% convinced and decided to pay for the private MRI scan a few months later to “put her mind at ease” – the scan revealed three masses on her brain. Despite being told she only has a maximum of 16 months to live, Alison is determined to survive for another “four or five years” so that she can see her six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren grow up.
She has found a number of treatments which are currently being tested and could boost her chances of survival in the next few years, but they come with a £250,000 price tag. Alison said: “I’ve got seven children, nine grandchildren and I’m just not prepared to go yet.
