Dave Linton, 60, from Bristol, is a senior programme manager who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, in November 2025. A fit and active individual who swam regularly and had recently started a new role after more than four decades with BT, Dave’s diagnosis came as a devastating shock to his family following a sudden and rapid onset of symptoms.
Dave's wife, Debbie, tells his story…
It all happened so quickly. Looking back, Dave had been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks. He was tired, had aching legs, but nothing that really rang alarm bells. He’s always been incredibly fit, swimming six days a week and living a really active life, so we just thought it might be something minor like side effects from his medication or just general fatigue.
Then he started forgetting things, which was completely unlike him. Dave has always had a brilliant memory, especially with his work as a project manager.
He’d just started a new job, so we put it down to information overload and tiredness.
Everything changed when he woke up with a really severe headache. Within days, his behaviour became more concerning, things like not being able to access his phone properly or remember simple things. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.
From that point, everything moved incredibly quickly. I called the GP, and he was seen and referred for a scan. Within about 48 hours, we had a diagnosis.
I don’t think anything prepares you for hearing the words brain tumour. It was absolutely awful. It felt like the ground had just disappeared beneath us.
Dave had a biopsy soon after, and because of where the tumour is, deep within a critical area of the brain, surgery to remove it wasn’t an option. That was really difficult to hear. Instead, we were referred straight to an oncology team.
Dave started a course of radiotherapy in early December. We opted for a shorter, more concentrated three-week course rather than six weeks, based on medical advice. He tolerated it incredibly well, which we were so grateful for.
Since then, he’s been undergoing chemotherapy and is currently on his fifth round, with one more planned. He’s also having regular scans, and we’ve recently had some cautiously positive news that the tumour may have shrunk slightly.
Considering everything, Dave has been amazing. He’s still out in the garden, still trying to keep active, still being himself as much as possible.
But there are changes, particularly with his short-term memory, and that’s something we’ve had to learn to adapt to as a family.
What we’ve really learned through all of this is to live in the moment. Not even day by day — moment by moment. That’s what gets you through, because looking too far ahead can feel overwhelming. Our family motto is Love life, and life will love you back.
We’ve also learned how important it is to ask for support. Because of my work in a hospice, I knew what was available, and we reached out early for community and emotional support, which has made such a difference.
Not everyone knows where to turn, and that’s something I would really encourage, don’t try to do it all on your own.
Six friends and I are taking on the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run – a 10k race. I nearly pulled out because everything felt overwhelming. But then I thought, no, this is exactly why I need to do it. For Dave, for our family, and for everyone affected by brain tumours.
If sharing our story and taking on this challenge helps raise awareness or funds for research, then it means something positive can come from such a difficult situation. We need more research, more funding, and more hope for families like ours.
Debbie Linton
May 2026
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been inspired by Dave’s story, donate via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
