A university student who started to lose his hearing was diagnosed with brain cancer. 24-year-old Ned Hilton was studying for his languages degree and was told he had grade 4 medulloblastoma in his second year.
He underwent a gruelling 22 hours of surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. He was forved to put his studies on hold for his cancer treatments and operations.
Ned said: "At first I was intrigued and carried on enjoying being a student but as I found out more about what a high-grade tumour meant my concern grew and everything became more real." Just last week his submitted his final assignments, and also recently jumped from 10,000ft to raise £1,900 for Brain Tumour Research.
Speaking to Yorkshire Live, he said: "The feeling of finishing uni has been incredible. With the support of family and friends, I have overcome so much and I feel proud of myself.
"To top it off with a skydive to raise money for a cause which means so much to me, after everything I have been through, was brilliant."
Ned has some side effects from the treatments but isn't letting that stop him from following his dreams, like travelling the world. He said: "Anyone could get ill at any point. I feel fortunate that my outcome has been positive, I know that not everyone has the same experience."
Mel Tiley, who is the community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "We’re thrilled to hear of Ned’s fantastic double achievement after facing a brain cancer diagnosis.
"Sadly his story is not unique, with one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour. They kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
"We’re determined to change this but it’s only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find cure. We’re really grateful to Ned and his wonderful support network for fundraising for the charity and wish Ned well as he finds his feet after university."
Brain Tumour Research works to fund research at centres across the UK and campaigns for the government and cancer charities to invest more in studying brain tumours. You can donate to Brain Tumour Research via Ned's JustGiving page here.
