Man with cancer marks birthday he was never meant to see

A man who was given two years to live has set himself a series of challenges to celebrate the 50th birthday he never thought he would see.

Andy Stammers, from Radstock, said he was living "from scan to scan" after being diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 36.

Since his diagnosis, the father-of-three has raised almost £14,000 for Brain Tumour Research, but said greater investment in research is needed.

“To reach this age was never on the cards but I am so grateful to still be here and to have been able to watch my three girls grow up," he said.

Doctors discovered an astrocytic tumour "the size of a tennis ball" after Mr Stammers suffered a sudden seizure in 2011.

Initially, it was thought the tumour was low-grade, however after invasive surgery followed by six weeks of radiotherapy doctors gave him just two years to live.

He said the news was "a major shock".

“You start thinking about all the things that you’re not going to see.

"All the life landmarks of children in terms of finishing school, university, graduations, weddings - all those things roll through your mind.

“I found myself living from scan to scan," he added.

"Before I knew it, I had outlived the two years doctors expected me to.

"My consultant couldn’t understand how. As far as they thought, it [the tumour] would grow back within years of the operation, more aggressive.”

To mark his upcoming 50th birthday on 3 June, Mr Stammers is embarking on 50 challenges, each of which he is asking for a minimum donation of £50.

He is now part way through, with earlier tasks involving performing 50 lines as the Giant in a local drama production of Jack and the Beanstalk, and folding 50 origami llamas.

Mr Stammers' final challenge will take place on 1 June, where he will run his 50th parkrun in Radstock.

"If we are to understand this disease we need greater investment into research," he said.

"Life hasn’t been without its emotional and physical strains that come with a brain tumour diagnosis but I am still here which is why I have set myself these crazy challenges."

“I’m not saying I wanted to have this tumour, but from it at least I’ve had different experiences," he added.

Dr Karen Noble, from Brain Tumour Research, said: “Just 12% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 54% across all cancers.

"We are very grateful to Andy for sharing his story and we want to be able to share more stories of hope in the future.

"We would like to wish Andy a wonderful birthday and good luck for his final event.”

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