A YOUNG man from Okehampton undergoing chemotherapy for an aggressive brain tumour met scientists searching for a cure for the disease.

A year on from his brain tumour diagnosis, Joe Holmes, 29, attended a lab tour of the University of Plymouth, where the charity Brain Tumour Research funds a research centre. Joe has also had surgery and radiotherapy since his diagnosis with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma. He now lives with an uncertain future.

Accompanied by his parents Karen and Roy and partner Emma, Joe met scientists at the University of Plymouth last Wednesday (February 26).

The team, led by Prof Oliver Hanemann, has a world-leading track record in researching low-grade brain tumours occurring in teenagers and adults.

Joe, a telecoms engineer, said: ‘I’ve always been fit and healthy, so my brain tumour diagnosis came completely out of the blue. The first indication that something was wrong was when I had a massive seizure while abroad. I was taken to A&E, where I was told it was a one-off episode and to see my GP when I returned home.

‘It wasn’t until a year later, in March 2019, that I suffered two back-to-back seizures, which gave doctors a huge cause for concern.

‘I had several tests and scans at Derriford Hospital, before I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.’

Joe had surgery in May 2019, but was told that his tumour was more aggressive than consultants first believed. He had seven weeks of radiotherapy before starting chemotherapy treatment in October 2019.

He said: ‘It was a pleasure to attend the lab tour and I learned so much about the fascinating research being undertaken into the disease. It’s given me a lot of hope.

‘Despite everything that I’ve gone through, I’ve become a stronger person because of my ordeal and have learned a great deal about myself. I’m trying to maintain a positive outlook on life and talking openly about it helped me a lot.

‘The hardest part of my illness was losing my driving licence, but I’m fortunate to have a lot of support from my employer, who arranged lifts so I can still do my job.’

After the lab tour, Joe and his family placed a commemorative tile on a Wall of Hope at the university, representing the £2,740 it costs to fund a day of research, marking the fundraising achievements of determined mum Karen and her colleagues. They each completed a 50-mile walk in September, raising more than £3,000 in Joe’s name.

Karen, who works in finance at Launceston College, said: ‘When Joe was diagnosed, my world fell apart. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by a team of amazing colleagues, who could tell I was struggling. We were really proud to have raised such a great amount.’

With March being Brain Tumour Awareness Month, donations to Brain Tumour Research in support of Joe can sill be made at www.justgiving.com, under ‘September 50 mile challenge for Brain Tumour Research’.