Man given year to live tells of tumour battle

Patient with an incurable type of brain tumour is raising funds

A 32-year-old Perthshire man has pledged to raise awareness of brain tumours and funds for research as he battles an incurable form of the disease.

Paul Young, from Errol, has been given just 12 to 14 months to live following his diagnosis with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain tumour in adults, last August.

He was driving home to celebrate his 32nd birthday with his wife Pamela when he passed out at the wheel. An MRI scan led to the devastating discovery of a high-grade cancerous tumour.

Paul underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat the tumour and is doing well, although he knows there is no cure for glioblastoma.

He has pledged to dedicate as much of his life as he can to supporting the Brain Tumour Charity’s efforts to fund research and help fellow patients and their families.

Paul said the diagnosis had come completely out of the blue. “At the end of August 2017, I was driving home to spend my 32nd birthday at home with my wife,” he said.

“About 10 minutes from home I got ringing in my ears and tunnel vision. Just before I passed out I managed to pull my van into the small verge in the fast lane and stop.

“Things happened really quickly. “The doctor told me a mass had been discovered on my brain, and that I was booked in for surgery for the following week. I was shocked and devastated.

“Thankfully surgery went well, and most of the tumour was removed.”

Paul finished his initial treatment in January and has been receiving chemotherapy since then.

“We are setting up a fund to try to allow treatments for this tumour to be available in the UK,” he said.

Paul and his supporters have raised more than £8,000 through bake sales, donations, raffles and quiz nights.

On Friday, a fundraising Clubbercise event will be held at 7.30pm in Carrick Knowe Primary School, Edinburgh.

Paul Young, 32, his wife Pamela and supporters have already raised more than £8,000.