On 1 September 2020, the lives of Dave Hopkins and his family changed forever, when the father-of-three from Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Dave had a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common type of primary high-grade brain tumour in adults, carrying with it a very stark prognosis. On finding out about his devastating prognosis, Dave’s family and friends rallied round to raise as much money as possible to try to extend his life.

On 14 August 2020, Dave was playing badminton with his daughter Lydia, when he noticed a flicker in his eye. He initially put it down to dehydration, as it was a very hot day. But over the coming days, a dull feeling developed in his head and the flicker didn’t go away. A visit to the doctors led to him being diagnosed with migraines but as the symptoms continued over the next two weeks, he went to get checked out at Scunthorpe General Hospital A&E.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he went in alone. They listened to his concerns and sent him for a CT scan. He was on his own when, at 6pm the same evening, the terrible news came like a thunderbolt. They had found a tumour in his brain.

Dave was transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary where the doctors laid out the plan. He was to have surgery within a week, during which they would debulk the tumour and take a sample to perform a biopsy, the results of which would help to determine the next steps. Dave’s operation went well. The staff were incredible and within two days he was home, fighting to get back to full fitness. Dave has always been into his sport and exercise. He’d go to the gym regularly and ate a healthy diet. He enjoyed a drink socially but didn’t lead an unhealthy life whatsoever.

Two weeks after Dave’s surgery, he got the biopsy results, which confirmed he had a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – the most aggressive form of brain cancer – and the statistics were not good. At best, we could hope for 12 to 18 months. Without surgery, we’d have lost him in less than six months. We were not prepared to accept these statistics, as every person's brain tumour journey is different.

When the swelling had reduced following his operation, Dave underwent six weeks of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The next stage would be six cycles of chemotherapy for five days every month.

In early January 2021, after finishing his second cycle of chemotherapy, Dave and I finally made it on a plane to Germany, following a very anxious and stressful few weeks trying to organise our COVID tests and travel documents, so we could make the trip during the pandemic

Dave’s first course of treatment in Germany began on 18 January 2021. It went well and he didn’t suffer from side effects, other than a bit of tiredness but in true Dave fashion, it didn’t faze him.

Despite accessing pioneering treatment in Germany sadly, Did passed away 14 months later on 6th November 2021, leaving his wife Nicki and three children Dylan, Lydia and Sydney.