Richard Scolyer remembered by peers for contributions to cancer treatment
By Jacinta Bowler and Peter de Kruijff
Before being diagnosed with cancer, the 2024 Australian of the Year was a leading melanoma researcher, developing better therapies for those with the disease.
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What is glioblastoma and why is it so hard to treat?
By Caitlyn Davey
Glioblastoma claims the lives of 200,000 people each year globally. Despite decades of research and funding, survival rates remain low.
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Learn what glioblastoma is, how this aggressive brain tumour spreads, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options explained in simple terms.
https://667baf59bfbc3.site123.me/blog/what-is-glioblastoma-simple-explanation-of-brain-tumour-spread
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SWANSEA: ‘10km for every year we’ve been without her’ — Llansamlet woman to run 100km from London to Brighton in memory of eight-year-old friend Lexi
Lexi May Hopkin was eight years old, full of life and, by all accounts, capable of lighting up any room she walked into. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2015 and died in January 2016.
Her friend Tallulah Chalstrey was 14 at the time. She made herself a promise: she would do something. Ten years on, that promise has taken Tallulah — now 24, from Llansamlet — to the start line of one of the most gruelling endurance events in the country.
This Saturday, Tallulah sets off on the London2Brighton Ultra Challenge — 100km from Richmond-upon-Thames, over the North Downs, through the South Downs, and down to the Brighton coastline. She will run and walk it continuously until she reaches the finish line.
The distance is not a coincidence. “The idea of 100km felt symbolic: 10km for every year we’ve been without her,” she said.
Tallulah Chalstrey, 24, from Llansamlet, on a training run ahead of her 100km London to Brighton challenge for The Brain Tumour Charity. (Image: The Brain Tumour Charity)“Lexi was a ray of sunshine,” said Tallulah. “She had this incredible ability to light up every room she walked into, whether it was through her silly dance moves or infectious laughter. She was courageous, caring and super confident, with such a big personality and even bigger ambitions.”
“Losing her was devastating,” she added. “It left me struggling to understand how someone so full of life could be taken so unfairly and so young.”
Tallulah has thrown herself into fundraising since Lexi’s death — climbing the Three Peaks and running the London Marathon in support of different charities in Lexi’s name. But the 100km challenge is the biggest thing she has taken on, and training has been intense.
“Training’s been long, tiring, and at times overwhelming — but I’ve loved every step,” she said. “Running through the roads and trails of Wales has reminded me why I’m doing this, and how lucky I am to be able to.”
The fundraising effort has already been remarkable. Six weeks of quiz nights hosted by The Swigg in Swansea alone raised £600, with online raffles and donations from friends and family pushing Tallulah well towards her £5,000 target for The Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of people under 40 in the UK — yet survival rates have barely improved in 40 years. Every day, 36 people in the UK hear the words “you have a brain tumour.”
“Brain tumours are a devastating disease,” said Tallulah. “I’m taking on this challenge not only to honour Lexi’s memory, but to help raise awareness of the reality so many families face.”
She said she knew the challenge would test her to her limits — but was clear about what would carry her through.
“If I struggle, I’ll remind myself that any pain or exhaustion I feel is temporary,” she said. “Lexi, and so many others lost to brain tumours, never got the opportunity to take on challenges like this or continue living the lives they deserved.”
Stacey Vincent, from The Brain Tumour Charity’s community fundraising team, said Tallulah’s dedication was an inspiration. “It’s through the incredible efforts of people like Tallulah that we can change these shocking statistics in the future,” she said.
Anyone wishing to support Tallulah’s challenge can donate via her fundraising page at thebraintumourcharity.org.
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Swansea dad praises local opticians after life‑saving tumour diagnosis
Headaches led to urgent referral
Matthew Lewis, 47, a senior nurse at Morriston Hospital, had been suffering with persistent headaches when his wife noticed unusual changes in his behaviour last summer. Concerned, he booked an appointment at Specsavers Swansea in July 2024.
Optometrist Chinwendu Ojo carried out a comprehensive eye examination, including an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, which revealed a significant loss of vision in Mr Lewis’ left eye.
Within hours of being urgently referred to hospital, scans confirmed a glioblastoma – a fast‑growing cancerous brain tumour. He was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for emergency neurosurgery, which doctors say saved his life.
“She didn’t just save his sight – she saved his life”
Following surgery, consultants told the family that without intervention, Mr Lewis may have had only weeks to live.
His wife, Kate Lewis, said:
“Because of Chinwendu’s thorough testing and immediate referral into hospital, we’ve been given so much more precious time together as a family – time we very nearly missed out on. Chinwendu didn’t just save Matthew’s sight; she saved his life. We will forever be grateful to her and the Specsavers Swansea team.”
Living life to the fullest
Since surgery, Mr Lewis has undergone intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He remains positive and is currently cancer‑free, with regular scans every three months.
Doctors have explained that the cancer is likely to return, but the family are determined to make the most of every day.
Mrs Lewis added:
“It is extremely likely that Matthew’s cancer will return – it’s just a question of when, and how it can be treated when it does. We’re taking every day as it comes but concentrating on making as many special memories as possible. Over the past year, we’ve renewed our wedding vows, watched Matthew walk our daughter down the aisle, and enjoyed many holidays together as a family. We’re already planning our next trip.”
Importance of regular eye tests
Optometrist Chinwendu Ojo said the case highlights the importance of regular sight tests:
“Eye tests aren’t just about checking vision – they can reveal so much more about your overall health. That’s why it’s so important to have regular sight tests and seek professional advice if you notice unusual symptoms such as intense headaches or blurred vision. I’m so relieved we were able to pick up on Matthew’s vision loss and refer him quickly to ensure he got the urgent care he needed.”
Specsavers Swansea
Specsavers Swansea say they’re open seven days a week and also offer Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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From ‘worst team’ to cup finalists: Cwm Albion’s turnaround
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#brainTumour #Cancer #Chemotherapy #eyeTest #glioblastoma #headaches #Optometrist #Radiotherapy #Specsavers #Swansea #tumour
Women File Lawsuit Against Pfizer Over Brain Tumour Risk Linked to Depo-Provera Injection
Pfizer is facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States filed by women who claim that using the company’s contraceptive injection, Depo-Provera, led to brain tumours. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer did not warn users and doctors about the heightened risk of intracranial meningiomas associated ... [More info]
Optimo DJ Keith McIvor Passes Away After Battle with Brain Tumour
Keith McIvor, known as JD Twitch, one half of the renowned Glasgow club duo Optimo, has passed away at the age of 57 after being diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. McIvor died peacefully at the Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, as confirmed by his long-time DJ partner Jonnie Wilkes, kno... [More info]
Bournemouth Family Honors Late Son While Advocating for Improved Brain Tumor Research
A Bournemouth family is raising awareness and funds for brain tumour research after losing their nine-year-old son, Thomas, to a high-grade glioma in November 2024. Thomas, described by his mother Louise as 'cheeky, funny, and full of life,' began showing subtle symptoms in early 2024, including spe... [More info]
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