Pevensey dad has brain tumour treatment postponed due to coronavirus

Delivery driver Graham Wood, 36, was diagnosed with a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma six years ago and has outlived his bleak prognosis of just three years, according to the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Graham said, “I was gutted to learn that my treatment, a chemotherapy clinical trial at St Guy’s Hospital, had been postponed. I’m all too aware that there’s cancer growing in my brain and I just want to do something about it as soon as I can. Now I just have to wait.

“The doctors said the trial will still go ahead but they can’t give me a date. Coronavirus is having a huge impact on patients like me across the country, who may also be immunosuppressed.”

Graham said he is determined to make the most of every day with his wife Amber and their five-year-old son Reuben.

He said, “Having outlived my prognosis, seeing Reuben grow up brings me a lot of joy. I remember when he started school two years ago – it was an incredibly moving day and one I feared I would never see.

“I just hope that I’m able to have chemotherapy soon, so I can make more wonderful memories with my family.

“My tumour is often on my mind so I’ve learned to compartmentalise my thoughts. I try to live in the present and to not worry about what hasn’t happened, though it’s harder to remain positive during this pandemic. The outbreak has also made me realise how important scientific research is.”

Graham is raising awareness with Brain Tumour Research for Brain Tumour Awareness Month, which runs throughout March. The month culminates in Wear A Hat Day on March 27.

Now in its 11th year, Wear A Hat Day has raised more than £1.25 million to help fund the fight against the disease.

Charity spokesperson at Brain Tumour Research Hugh Adams said, “We are very grateful to Graham for sharing his powerful story and we feel for him and his family at this desperately uncertain time.

“This is a particularly important time to get behind Brain Tumour Research, as the coronavirus represents an unprecedented threat to the charity sector.

“Investment in scientific research has never been more important: as the world is gripped in a global health crisis, we are looking to scientists to find a cure.

“As a relatively small but influential charity Brain Tumour Research is facing a potential 50 per cent loss to its annual income with the cancellation and postponement of challenge events such as the London Marathon.

“We’re encouraging people to take part in Wear A Hat Day, something people can do from their own homes, and share on social media. Though Wear A Hat Day takes place on Friday 27 March, anyone can participate in the campaign at any time.”

• Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an illness which affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms are a high temperature and continuous cough.

• The Government is now telling people to stay at home unless: shopping for basic necessities, one form of exercise a day, any medical need or to help a vulnerable person, and travelling to and from work - ONLY when absolutely necessary

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