Hi, my name is Zoe and I have set up this page for my wonderful brother, Marcus on behalf of him and his wife, Laura and Daughter, Lola.

Marcus is 35, born and grew up in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He later moved to Yatton, North Somerset at 19 and met his now wife, Laura. They were living the perfect life together with their daughter, Lola (5) until Marcus started to become very unwell at home. After months of misdiagnosis, Marcus was eventually diagnosed with a Brain Tumour in October 2024 and underwent emergency surgery as the tumour was life threatening at the point it was found. A surgeon was flown in from Newquay and Marcus' surgery was successful in removing 98% of the tumour and he returned home to his family after 5 days in ICU.

Following the surgery, we later found out the Brain Tumour was a Glioblastoma...

What is a Glioblastoma?

In short, a word I hope none of you ever have to hear. Glioblastoma is a very aggressive cancerous brain tumour. Marcus has completed 6 gruelling weeks of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy combined and is now 2 months in to a further 6 months of Chemotherapy. This is the standard treatment for Glioblastoma, which has not developed or progressed in nearly 40 years and there is currently no cure. We know the tumour will grow back at some point, unfortunately we do not know when.

We do not know what the future holds but we have pledged to live each day as it comes, to live in the moment, enjoy time together and make as many memories as possible. Marcus is currently unable to work due to his diagnosis and associated symptoms and Laura has had to close her beauty business to provide care and support to Marcus and Lola.

We have started to look at possible alternative treatments for Glioblastoma which are unavailable on the NHS and are unfortunately very expensive. The current treatments we are looking to fund are Mebendazole and Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Research has proven these can both support with slowing and preventing the tumour to grow. The current cost of these 2 treatments are around £700 per month or £12,000 for us to purchase a Oxygen Chamber (instead of renting) plus ongoing running costs. We continue to research other treatment options and will keep the page updated on progress. Depending on Marcus scan results every 3 months, we may need to increase doses/try other options. The only way we can continue to look at options is through donations from the community.

Alongside alternative treatment we are also asking for donations so Marcus, Laura and Lola can make as many memories as possible together, to fund therapies to help with symptoms and to take the financial strain from being unable to work off them and to live life the best they can. We have a family holiday to look forward to but due to Marcus’ diagnosis, insurance for him will cost around £1000-£4000, depending on his symptoms at the time.

The last few months have been extremely hard for Marcus, Laura & Lola and the wider family. You do not expect something like this to happen to a young, fit and otherwise healthy 35 year old and it has been extremely difficult to come to terms with and has turned our lives upside down. For those reading this who do not know Marcus personally, he is just the best and we consider ourselves very lucky to still have him with us. He loves with all his heart, would drop everything to help someone he cares about and is always on hand to make you laugh (sarcasm is mandatory). The last 6 months have shown us how cruel life can be but it has also shown us how strong and how positive Marcus is, how courageous he is and how big his heart really is. He has held us all up when we have felt like crumbling, even though this is happening to him. His girls are his whole world and being able to spend quality time with them for as long as possible, doing things they enjoy will mean the absolute world to him.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any donations,

Zoe x