Stories of Hope

David G - Diagnosed in 2005 with a GBM IV (UK) *Updated January 2012*

At the age of 48, and with his daughter just 2 years old, David was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme. He believes many things have seen him get this far and this article gives us an insight into those and his life since diagnosis. "I’ve stayed positive and kept myself active. That first weekend after the operation I sat down and started to write things up under the title of “Survive & Thrive – my encounter with Cancer”. This was my way of trying to keep a grip on what was happening." Read more of David's story here...

Cheryl B - Diagnosed in 2000 with a GBM IV

10 years on, after 3 surgeries and numerous other treatments Cheryl is doing well and enjoying watching her 2 boys grow. Read more of Cheryl's story here....

Tom K - Diagnosed in 2004 with a GBM IV *Updated 26/9/2010*

"I’ve never questioned why I had to be one of those people that had to endure GBM, but I’ve often wondered why I was chosen to survive it. After all, the odds were not in my favor..." Read more of Tom's story here...

Alexander C - Diagnosed with a GBM IV 2002 (UK)

Alex has just turned 17. He started his journey with a GBM in August 2002. He has had surgery which has left a hole in his skull, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy but despite all he has had to cope with, Alex is a brave and happy boy. Read more of Alex's story here...

Ben W - Diagnosed 1995 with GBM IV

"My treatment philosophy throughout this ordeal has been very similar to the treatment approach that has developed for AIDS. Both HIV and cancer involve biological entities that mutate at high rates, so that unless a treatment is almost instantaneously effective, the dynamics of evolution will create new forms that are resistant to whatever the treatment may be. However, if several different treatments are used simultaneously (instead of sequentially, which is typically the case), any given mutation has a much smaller chance of being successful." Read more of Ben's story here...

Rob R. - Diagnosed with a GBM IV in 2003

"Our son was in kindergarten at the end of school year party while Rob was having surgery. When the doctor came out to talk with his sister, daughter and myself he cautioned us that Rob would probably not be able to talk or move. The first thing he did when I saw him was smile and started chatting, squeezing my hand. As he left the recovery room he gave a thumbs up to both his sister and daughter. So we knew that his incredible attitude and strength would get him through." Read more of Rob's story here...

Sherry D - Diagnosed in 2005 with a GBM IV

"I never accepted no. Don’t ever let a doctor take your hope away. I was told I had about 9 months to live and to go home and enjoy the rest of my time with my son. That doctor was wrong. He offered me no hope. There is always hope." Read more of Sherry's story here...

Tim H. - Diagnosed in 1988 with a GBM IV

In 2008 Pastor Tim reached 20 years since diagnosis. Whilst he still battles with fatigue and is now in a wheelchair 90% of the time he continues to feel blessed. He has been able to watch his daughter graduate, walk his other daughter down the aisle and seen his sons make their career choices. Read more of Tim's Story here...

David F - Diagnosed in 2003 with a GBM IV

Over 5 years after being diagnosed David is doing well. His Mom, Kathy, writes about his story so far and tells how laughter is never hard to find in their home. Read more of David's story here...

Meredith M - Diagnosed in 2005 with a GBM IV

On June 1, 2005, just five weeks after the birth of her first child, Erik, Meredith was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. On June 1, 2006, she officially outlived her original Prognosis and continues to receive 'clean' MRIs. Read more of Meredith's story here...

Drew - Diagnosed in 2004 with a GBM IV

Drew is 8 years old. He is known to be a very loving, kind and fun child. He has never met a stranger and loves everyone he meets. He showers everyone with his love, hugs and kisses. His enthusiasm for life is contagious. Read more of Drew's story here...

Kate B - Diagnosed in 2004 with a GBM IV

Whilst on holiday with her family Kate suffered a Grand Mal. After many different tests she was finally diagnosed with a brain tumour, and so began her fight to beat the statistics. Read more of Kate's story here...

Kathleen R - Diagnosed in 1993 with a GBM IV

In 1992, after a few months of problems, Kathleen finally found out what was causing all her symptoms. "The left side of my face went numb like I had been to the dentist. I finally saw my family Doctor. He thought I might be coming down with Bell's Palsy. After New Years, I went back and he ordered an MRI that showed a 2.5 cm mass. This is where my miracle began." Read more of Kathleen's story here...

Peter D - Diagnosed in 1994 with GBM IV

I had just met my wife to be and we were very happy together. Her 1st husband had died of cancer. We thought that it could never happen twice in a row. To our great disappointment it did. On April 28 1994 I was diagnosed with some kind of a brain Tumor." Read more of Peter's story here...

Kevin K - Diagnosed in 1991 with GBM IV

An 18 year Glioblastoma Multiforme survivor, Kevin always loved playing sports but during his 4th operation he went into a coma and suffered partial left side Paralysis. Kevin says "It was all worth it giving me a chance to see my children grow up. I cannot do the things that once came so easy, but I believe it is God's way of testing me. So far I'm passing. A good attitude can go a long way." Read more of Kevin's story here...

Tom S - Diagnosed in 1999 with GBM IV

Tom's symptoms started in 1999, 10 years on he is doing well and continues to work full time. Tom says "I know how blessed I have been and I try to help others who are impacted by GBM and other brain tumors." Read more of Tom's story here...

Scott N - Diagnosed in 2000 with a GBM IV

Danny S - Diagnosed in 2005 with Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma

Yes, I have a terminal brain tumour, 5 years ago they gave me 2 - 3 years, but I think the best self-help is laughter, humour and keeping positive. Read more of Danny's story here...

Kyle B - Diagnosed in 2003 with Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Kyle's world wass flipped upside down when, at the age of 31, he was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour. Kyle says "Through all of this, my wife and I have learned to take one day at a time and make the most of our time together. When I took sick and was given a very grim prognosis, my mantra was “I am not a statistic” and we adopted the word “Believe” as part of our armor to protect us in the battle ahead and remind us to stay positive." Read more of Kyle's story here...

Poppy - Diagnosed in 2004 with an Optic Chiasm Glioma (UK)

When Poppy was just 14 months old her parents received the devastating news that she had a brain tumour. 5 years later Poppy is doing well and her parents said "we live day by day now, & are grateful for every moment we have with our beautiful daughter, who sparkles so much that she can light up a room full of people!". Read more of Poppy's story here...

Patrick E - Diagnosed in 2006 with a Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma (UK)

"We've got the test results back and it's a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma". These are almost certainly the most important words anyone has ever said to me. But at the time they meant as much to me as they probably do to you reading this now. No-one in the medical profession has ever said the words "you've got cancer" or "you've got a brain tumour" to me." Read more of Patricks story here...

Betsy S - Diagnosed in 1999 with an Astrocytoma

"In the fall of 1999 I began having terrible headaches - so extreme I would see blurbs of light, and grab on to my desk. My head would ache so badly I would literally hold my breath." A few months later Betsy was diagnosed with an Astrocytoma Grade 3. Read more of Betsy's story here...

Matthew Z - Diagnosed in 1995 with a Medulloblastoma

Cancer Patient Advocate, Founder & Executive Director, The I'm Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation for Young Adults

Watch a video about Matthew's story here...

Diana M - Diagnosed in 2003 with Anaplastic Astrocytoma III

6 years after being diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma III, Diana is doing great and believes her faith has played a huge part in her continued 'Clear' MRIs. Read more about Diana's story here...

Shannon O - Diagnosed in 1994 with Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma III

In the words of her Mom, Jan, Shannon is "an awesome 14 year survivor of Malignant Glioma brain tumor/cancer, a former gymnast and dancer extraordinaire, a freelance makeup artist who has gracefully endured 4 brain surgeries, radiation therapy plus numerous/various chemotherapy's, and dendritc cell vaccine therapy, not to mention dozens or hundreds of MRI scans, bloodwork, meds ... Read more about Shannon's story here...

Kio -Diagnosed 2001 with Anaplastic Astrocytoma

At the age of 30, Kio suffered a grand mal Seizure and following various tests was diagnosed with a tumour in his right Temporal Lobe. Read more of Kio's story here...

George - Diagnosed 1967 with Oligodendroglioma III

George Plym is the founder and president of WNC Brain Tumor Support in Asheville, North Carolina. He is also an eleven-time brain tumor survivor and has gone through ten procedures to try to eliminate those tumors! Read George's story here...

Bruce - diagnosed in 1995 with an Ependymoma

After being misdiagnosed for 2 years Bruce had a seizure and was finally diagnosed with a 'mass' in his brain. Read Bruce's story here...