Jo Crossey from High Wycombe lost her only son Sean to an incurable brain tumour and is sharing his story to raise awareness of the disease.

Jo also has two daughters and she is now working closely with Brain Tumour Research.

Sean, a senior software developer at Sky’s Now TV, who grew up and lived in High Wycombe, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in August 2016, aged 27, after experiencing intermittent vomiting, dizziness and crippling headaches, as well as tingling down his left arm.

Despite having brain surgery, the family were told the devastating news that Sean’s tumour was terminal, and he was given 18 months to five years to live.

Jo said: “Sean had always been very healthy.

“He and his fiancée Laura were both vegetarians, he worked out in the gym, went to gigs and concerts, kept in touch with his friends and generally had a good work-life balance.

“It was absolutely devastating to learn he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.”

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Despite this, Jo said that: “Sean remained positive throughout his treatment and adamant he would defy the odds, despite undergoing brain surgery three times, radiotherapy and two types of chemotherapy.”

In June 2018 Sean married his fiancé Laura Griggs, and in their vows, they promised to make each other laugh every single day.

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The next month Sean, who was a keen guitarist, attempted to break the world record for the largest guitar ensemble in the ‘Great Guitar Challenge’ in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

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Tragically two months later Sean passed away on September 19 aged just 29, having exhausted all possible treatment.

Jo said: “We couldn’t believe what had happened; we couldn’t believe we had lost our boy and that in this day and age, there was nothing that could have been done to save him.

“Sean’s mantra was ‘carpe diem’ – seize the day and just get on and enjoy life. He was always telling us he loved us. I remember one day he said, ‘This must be very hard for you, Mum’ and put his arms around me.

“He was so kind, thoughtful, generous and funny. The day before he died in the hospice, he asked the doctor whether he could prescribe sleeping tablets; not for him, but for Laura because he knew she hadn’t slept for days.

“I hope that by sharing his story we continue Sean’s efforts help to raise awareness of this cruel disease.

“Our family have learnt in the worst possible way that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s.”

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Brain Tumour Research campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research for the Central region, said: “We are very thankful to Jo for her support and helping to raise awareness.

“The tragedy of Sean’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age.

“What’s more, less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers, and we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.”

To read Sean’s brain tumour story in full click here, and to donate visit www.braintumourresearch.org/donation.