Headstrong Against Cancer.
Our mission is simple: to give every brain cancer patient the strength, support, and hope they deserve.
Dan and Dave first met in 1995 at sixth form college, aged 16. Despite living in different areas since then, they’ve been best friends for over 30 years, sharing countless memories with close friends and family. From being ushers at weddings and godparents to each others children, to holidays, celebrations, and supporting each other through life’s toughest moments, it’s been a rollercoaster.
Everything changed in 2017 when Dan, aged 38, was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma – the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The prognosis was grim, and everything they read painted a bleak picture. True to form, their circle of friends rallied together, supporting Dan and each other every step of the way.
Then in 2021, Dave’s younger sister Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at just 39. Kate fought incredibly hard but sadly passed away in May 2023 at the age of 41. These experiences of illness, trauma, and loss have further strengthened their bonds, and throughout both Dan and Kate’s journeys, they have been raising funds for Cancer Research.
Now, in 2025, Dan is still with us – defying the odds. Thanks to advances in cancer treatment, particularly immunotherapy, he continues to thrive nearly nine years after his diagnosis. Selected for a clinical trial, Dan has received monthly Nivolumab for the past eight years and has since married the love of his life Felicity and welcomed two beautiful children Beau and Marley into the world.
"When Cancer Struck Twice, Friendship Fought Back"
Brain Cancer: The Urgent Need for Change
Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.
Yet despite its devastating impact, it receives just 1% of the national spend on cancer research.
For those diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour, 87% will die within five years.
Incidence
- Around 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK – that’s one new diagnosis every two hours.
Source: Brain Tumour Research - Incidence rates have risen by about 26% since the early 2000s, though projections suggest a small decline (around 3%) by 2040.
Source: Cancer Research UK - The lifetime risk of developing a brain tumour is approximately 1 in 66 for women and 1 in 74 for men.
Source: Cancer Research UK
Survival Rates
- Overall, around 45% of people diagnosed with a brain tumour survive five years or more.
- By tumour type:
- Glioblastoma: More than 5% survive five years or more.
- Oligodendroglioma: Around 55% survive five years or more; 60% reach ten years.
- Meningioma (benign): Approximately 95% survive five years or more.
Source: Cancer Research UK
- Long-term survival remains low – only 19% live ten years or longer after diagnosis.
Mortality
- Brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumours are the 10th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for 3% of all cancer deaths.
- In 2017–2019, 34% of brain cancer deaths occurred in people aged 75 and over.
Source: Cancer Research UK
Resources
If you need someone to talk to or advice on where to get help, The Brain Tumour Charity Support and Information team is available by phone, email or live-chat.
Their vision is for everyone with a brain tumour to feel less afraid, less alone and more in control.
Their vision is to find a cure for all types of brain tumours and increase the UK investment in research into brain tumours.