Stephen Blakeston’s journey began with a series of alarming symptoms in October 2010. The previously healthy 53-year-old former council grounds worker began experiencing jumbled speech, severe headaches, and unusual distress. These changes were drastically out of character for Stephen, prompting his family to seek medical attention. However, their initial encounter with a GP proved disheartening. The doctor dismissed Stephen’s symptoms as stress-related, even going so far as to accuse him of faking his illness. This dismissive attitude left the family frustrated and concerned, especially given the severity and persistence of Stephen’s symptoms. Undeterred, the family sought further medical evaluation, which ultimately led to a CT scan at Hull Royal Infirmary. The scan revealed a devastating truth: a tumor growing on the left side of Stephen’s brain, directly impacting his speech.
The following week, Stephen underwent surgery to remove the tumor. While the surgery itself was successful, the subsequent biopsy confirmed the family’s worst fears. The tumor was a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, carrying a typical lifespan of 12-18 months. Despite the grim prognosis, Stephen, along with his wife, Elaine, and daughters, Hollie and Lauren, faced the challenge head-on. He underwent a grueling course of treatment, including one round of intensive radiotherapy and two rounds of chemotherapy, aimed at halting the tumor’s growth. While the treatments took a toll on his energy levels, Stephen maintained a remarkably positive outlook, and subsequent scans showed no signs of further tumor growth, offering a glimmer of hope.
However, tragedy struck unexpectedly on July 13, 2011. Stephen collapsed suddenly at home while visiting his daughter Lauren’s room. Despite the immediate arrival of paramedics, their efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. It was later determined that a blood clot, potentially caused by either the treatment or the tumor itself, had traveled to his heart, resulting in his sudden death. The family was devastated by the unexpected loss, grappling with the trauma of losing Stephen in such an abrupt and painful manner.
Stephen’s daughter, Hollie Rhodes, a 37-year-old PE teacher and mother of two, now carries her father’s memory with her as she prepares for the London Marathon. Her motivation stems from a desire to honor her father’s legacy while raising funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research. Hollie’s decision to run the marathon is particularly poignant given that running is not her forte. However, fueled by the memory of her father and the knowledge that a cure could have saved his life, she is determined to complete the challenging 26.2-mile course.
Hollie’s fundraising efforts are driven by the alarming statistics surrounding brain tumors. Brain tumors are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet research funding remains tragically inadequate. She recalls the devastating impact brain tumors have had on her family and friends, including her father, her oldest friend’s young son, Roux, and another friend’s sister who succumbed to brain cancer that had metastasized from breast cancer. These personal experiences underscore the urgency for increased research funding and the need to shift the narrative surrounding brain tumors from a terminal diagnosis to one of hope and potential for a cure.
Hollie is deeply committed to raising awareness and advocating for increased research funding. She emphasizes that the current level of funding is simply not enough to combat a disease that claims so many lives, especially among children and young adults. Her marathon run is a testament to her unwavering determination to honor her father’s memory and contribute to a cause she believes is profoundly important. She views her hours of training and the challenging race as a small sacrifice compared to the suffering her father and other brain tumor patients endure. As she prepares for the marathon, she draws strength from the memories of her father’s infectious laugh, his unwavering support, and his wicked sense of humor, qualities that she cherishes and that continue to inspire her.
