Paul, a firefighter from East Sussex, died of a glioblastoma in January 2021, just seven months after his diagnosis. He was 51. The father of three was fit and active, exercising daily and playing golf until he suffered a seizure out of the blue. Paul underwent two surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but his condition deteriorated before his death. His wife Sharon advocated for him throughout and the family raised tens of thousands of pounds for private treatment.
Here is Paul’s story, as told by his wife, Sharon…
Paul became a firefighter in 1999 and was always very active. He was into running, cycling, swimming, football, and he loved his golf. Before he was diagnosed, Paul had no symptoms of a brain tumour. He had no headaches and his diagnosis felt like it was completely out of the blue.
In June 2020, he came home after a day shift at work and couldn’t communicate properly. He struggled to get his words out, saying a few things but unable to form full sentences. I could see him getting frustrated with himself and I called his best friend, Heath, who is a paramedic.
When Heath came round, he was asking Paul what my name was, and all Paul could do is point to his wedding ring. Heath asked the names of our children and Paul picked up a photo and couldn’t speak to say their names. It was traumatic to witness.
I knew something was wrong and thought it was a stroke.
Heath called an ambulance and as Paul walked down the lane from our house to where it was parked, he had a seizure. I couldn’t go to the hospital with him due to COVID, but as Heath was a paramedic, he could. They drove off and as they closed the doors, I saw Paul was still having a seizure. I was left at home in complete shock.
He was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital and eventually I was allowed to see him. After various tests and MRI scans, we were told Paul had lesions on his brain. Not for one minute did I think that we would soon get the worst news ever.
We were told Paul had a glioblastoma, a very aggressive cancer on his brain. Our world fell apart.
His speech had returned by the time he had his operation on 29th June 2020 at Brighton General Hospital. The consultant explained the risks of surgery which included: more seizures, personality changes, issues with speech and language, balance and coordination, cognitive changes and memory issues, but Paul came through as the same person he was before.
The surgeons told us they removed most of the tumour and we lived with hope that would be it for a while.
Very quickly it grew again, and before he could have radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the tumour needed to be further debulked. He was due for a second operation on his birthday, 6th August, but the consultant delayed it by a day as he was concerned Paul may experience significant side effects this time round.
They wanted us to have a day together as a family with me and our three children who were then aged, 25, 21 and 16. We took it in turns, two at a time, to spend time with Paul. It felt very emotional.
We knew the disease was life-limiting, and after Paul’s second operation on 7th August – the day after his 51st birthday, he had aphasia and couldn’t communicate properly, problems with his balance and coordination and issues with his memory.
Despite this, he could still hit a golf ball and enjoyed hours of completing puzzles. He even began to paint and draw. He was determined to stay active in any way that he could, and he always used to say if I was alright then he was alright and that’s how we got through it.
Every year, Paul ran the Hastings Half Marathon and when he became ill, he told a nurse that he was going to get back out there and raise money for Brain Tumour Research, but sadly he was never well enough.
Before Paul’s diagnosis a friend and former colleague’s daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Being the kind and generous person he was, Paul organised a golf day to raise money for the girl and her family, and then the disease struck our family.
Brain tumours are more common than you think. One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour.
We certainly never thought it would happen to us.
I did my own research about glioblastoma and the current treatment available for patients. I read about Gliadel Wafers, a small biodegradable implant that deliver carmustine, a type of chemotherapy, directly to the site of the brain tumour. The surgeon said Paul could have this and I was pleased I advocated for Paul.
My understanding is that it’s not given to everyone because it’s so expensive, which feels unfair. The NHS standard of treatment for brain tumour patients hasn’t changed in decades. I spent hours carrying out my own research which was physically and emotionally exhausting.
Paul had a course of radiotherapy and had chemotherapy in tablet form which he took at home. I found a private and expensive treatment available through a Harley Street doctor in London which cost thousands of pounds which we raised by setting up a GoFundMe page.
We were desperate and we felt like the onus was on us to do everything we could to prolong Paul’s life.
Despite different types of treatment, a routine scan found the tumour had started to grow once again. The quick growing and aggressive tumour made him really sick but if he had been well enough, Paul would’ve wanted to go overseas for treatment, and we would’ve found a way to get him there.
It was hard to deal with what felt like so many knock backs from the medical team. We requested immunotherapy but was told it wasn’t suitable for Paul. Everything felt very clinical and as if Paul was just a number and we were following a process and pathway that all, if not, most, brain tumour patients face. It didn’t feel as if the doctors were looking at innovative treatment options and I was the one fighting for that for Paul.
Towards the end, he couldn’t speak which was torture for him and he communicated as best he could with hand gestures. Paul was at home for the entire time apart from when he spent a few days in hospital to have his surgeries. He was with his family that loved and cherished him until the very end and sadly passed away on 23rd January 2021.
Paul was an amazing husband and the best dad to Grace, Imogen and Max and the best dog dad to Dylan. He was kind, handsome, generous and funny. He had a heart of gold and always wore the biggest smile. We cherish the years we had together but will miss him forever.
Paul was selfless and inspired so many people wanting to make a difference and raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Over the years friends and family have taken on many challenges to raise money; in doing so we continue to honour Paul’s memory. These have included, golf days, cycling challenges, runs, mountain climbs and themed nights.
Last September, the whole family took part in the South Coast Ultra Challenge across the seven sisters and this year we are hoping to organise our own Walk of Hope.
Every year, Heath organises a huge football match which raises thousands for the charity and this year his colleagues at Bohemia Road fire station hosted a charity day in his honour.
Paul’s legacy has so far contributed towards sponsoring 14 days of research at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London and in June, our family got to see the scientists working towards finding kinder treatments and eventually a cure for all types of brain tumours.
From my experience, all I wanted was for doctors to say, this is how we’re going to treat your husband and if that doesn’t work, we can try this, and so on, but it felt like I was coming up with a treatment plan.
Brain tumours can devastate your life. They strip you of who you are. They take your independence; destroy the life you lived and loved. Everyday tasks we take for granted become a challenge for those living with a brain tumour. Even making a cup of tea became a challenge too big for Paul. Although we were unable to have conversations, we were lucky that laughter continued until the very end.
I’ve since come to learn it’s not because the doctors didn’t want to treat Paul, it’s because their hands are tied by what is available. Greater investment is needed to bring treatment in line with other cancers.
Brain Tumour Research stands for everything that Paul believed in, and he has created a community of people who want to make the difference for future patients and their families.
Sharon Balch
August 2025
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 touched by Paul’s story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
