I am Alan Lynott.  I am 49.  And I'm asking you for money.  But please read on… 

A year ago, I fell down the stairs.  I woke up in hospital with a massively sore noggin and a brain tumour diagnosis of Glioblastoma - the most aggressive type with the worst prognosis. It is generally incurable and the median survival rate is a year.     

BALLS 

I enjoy solving complex problems – and it is also what I do for a living.  I was otherwise fit and healthy, I run the occasional marathon and I have a wonderful family to support me - so I was not dissuaded by the odds.   

After a brutaI meeting learning my prognosis, I created the FUD plan – the ‘f** you doctor’ plan. I embarked on surgery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a strict diet, I was even persuaded to try some experimental immunotherapy drugs in an attempt to beat the odds. But nothing has worked.   

One year in, and I cannot beat the statistics. A couple of weeks ago we began preparations for the final stage.   

Although a fan of science fiction, I cannot upload my consciousness into a virtual reality fantasy world of my choice.  And Kate has flatly refused to keep me in the freezer.  Instead, I want to create a legacy that will fund research to extend and improve lives for fellow brain tumour patients and their families and say “Balls to Brain Cancer”.  

Glioblastoma is the least researched and worst funded of all cancers.  That must change.   

More research means that more people will live longer after diagnosis, supporting patients and families coping with this horrific disease. Typically, a year of research on just one project costs £60,000.  It would make me smile if we were able to fund several months of research for The Brain Tumour Charity.   

Thank you for your support. 

Notes: 

https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/brain-tumour-diagnosis-treatment/types-of-brain-tumour-adult/glioblastoma/