Nottinghamshire mum of seven stays positive despite…

Nottinghamshire mum of seven stays positive despite terminal cancer diagnosis

A mum of seven has remained positive despite a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, which has left her with what doctors expect to be 18 months to live. Alison Horspool, who also has two stepchildren and nine grandchildren was diagnosed with Glioblastoma IDH, wildtype grade four - a fast-growing and aggressive cancer.

The 61-year-old, who is currently living between Nottinghamshire - with two of her daughters - and Cornwall with her partner, was diagnosed after an MRI scan in February 2023 revealed three masses on her brain. After a biopsy, Alison was told on April 20 that she had cancer.

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But despite the diagnosis, Alison, who has worked in a number of jobs, including as working as a cleaner, has remained positive and in high spirits. Alison's daughter, Mairead Horspool, 24, from Ruddington, said: "She's such a character. She's lived a crazy life.

"She's got so many stories. She's so supportive, if I ever have a problem she's the first person I go to and she calms me down.

"She dotes on the grandkids, she adores them. I think that's what she's struggling with the most at the moment, she wants to see her grandkids start school."

"It was a massive shock, it took me by surprise. But I've never met someone so positive in my life. I've not even seen her cry about it.

"She's just trying to look on the positive side and think what can we do to help it. And just trying to make the most of whatever she's got left. But her partner is absolutely heartbroken.

Alison Horspool with her partner, Jamie (Submitted)

"He said he'd spent his life searching for his soulmate and he'd found her. They finally found each other and now this has happened."

Alison started radiation therapy and taking chemotherapy tablets approximately four weeks after she was diagnosed. Now, Alison's family want to spread awareness about Glioblastoma, as well as raise funds for her to have private treatment for her disease.

On the GoFundMe page for Alison, Mairead added: "One option that we have found is the DCVax which is currently in stage three of trials. The cost to have this privately funded is around £250,000, but the results from the trial have seen patients double the survival rates, with 13 per cent still being alive five years later compared to the control group."

Alison's family are accepting donations, however big or small, to help fund any private treatment. They will also be completing fundraising activities to help raise money.

The page has already received more than £1,500 in donations. In a message left in a donation, one person said: "She deserves the best chance she can get to fight this terrible disease."