A dad who was given just 12 months to live after being told the devastating news he had a brain tumour survived his prognosis by 11 years. Alan Chilcott was told he had just six to 12 months to live after he was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) in July, 2009.
However, the father-of-two, defied his medical odds and lived for 12 more years following his diagnosis before he passed away peacefully last year at the age of 70. Bridgend man Alan was able to watch his three grandsons grow up, and his family said they'd been inspired by his fight to raise money to help find a cure.
Alan's daughter, Lisa Chilcott, from Bridgend, said: "When Dad was diagnosed, we were all in complete shock. At the time, my understanding was that only very few patients with this type of brain tumour survived for more than five years." To read more health stories click here.
READ MORE: Major A&E unit asks people to stay away as waiting times hit desperate levels
Alan was working as a manging director of a local furniture company, where he had worked for 42 years, when he began experiencing excruciating headaches. He had just returned from a cruise when his symptoms began, but after trying medication to ease the pain, he was referred for an MRI scan at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. It was then he was given the news of his brain tumour.
He embarked on years of treatment, undergoing four operations with the final surgery taking place in September, 2020. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy became ineffective at treating the tumour, causing mobility and balance issues for Alan, and treatment stopped. He died in September, 2021, leaving behind his wife Susan, 72, their son Craig, 45, daughter, Lisa, and three grandsons.
Just a month before his death, Alan was pictured for the very last time watching his grandson, Evan, play rugby. Lisa added: “In August, 2021, we took dad for a drive along the coast from Llantwit Major to Rest Bay, finishing with fish and chips overlooking the sea. This was the last trip out for dad and just 20 days later, on 19th September, we said our final goodbye."
A year later, to mark the one year anniversary of his death. Lisa and her family walked along the same route in a fundraising effort for Brain Tumour Research, raising more than £1,700 in the process. She said: “ For our Walk of Hope we ventured along the exact route, this time with a team of supporters, all there to support the charity. It was a huge 20 miles and took eight hours to complete.
“We did it to help other families who are living with their own diagnosis, so no-one has to go through the devastation that comes with a brain tumour diagnosis. Together, we will find a cure.” You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Dr Karen Noble, director of research, policy and innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: “ Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fast-growing type of tumour of the brain or spinal cord. It is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumour in adults. The average survival time is devastatingly short – just 12-18 months. However, 25% of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year and 5% of patients survive more than five years.
"There is a potential for the research undertaken by the charity to help discover why some people survive longer than others. We’re grateful to Lisa and her family for their incredible support in raising awareness and funds with our vision to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Lisa’s fundraiser, please click here.
READ NEXT:
- Woman made crack cocaine in kitchen and sold it from window
- Police appeal after woman suffers broken jaw after Liam Gallagher gig
- Horrific moment car crashes into the back of taxi at high speed
- Footballer with suspected spinal injury left waiting five hours on a stretcher in the rain
- Stunning Welsh church goes up for sale but there's strict rules about buying it
