A former college Vice Principal was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour after an episode that left him disoriented and struggling to recall his wife’s name.
Dr Neville Collins, 76, from West Yorkshire, failed to pick up his wife, Georgina, after work. When she got home, he was disoriented and couldn’t remember her name. After the incident was labelled a “collapse” at A&E, the couple sought help from a memory clinic – eventually opting to have a brain scan.
An MRI scan revealed a glioma brain tumour in the biochemist’s left temporal lobe. This was in 2018, and by 2023 Neville’s symptoms – including seizures – had worsened. Further tests at this time confirmed his diagnosis as an oligodendroglioma, a rare type of glioma.
Neville’s wife Georgina recalled: “When we were first told, one of the most memorable things the consultant said to us was, ‘it will get you in the end’. His care felt so fragmented, we ended up learning how to manage the seizures from epilepsy charity websites rather than medical professionals.”
Georgina has since raised almost £12,000, sponsoring more than four days of vital research at our Centres of Excellence, and now she is in training to take on the Rob Burrow Leeds Half Marathon next May.
She concluded: “Neville has lost much of his independence, including the ability to drive. Yet he remains determined to keep going.
"We never thought this would be our story, but it is. Now we want to use our experience to help others. I hope that sharing our journey shines a light on the need for earlier diagnosis, joined-up care and, most of all, more research.”
You can show your support for Georgina and Brain Tumour Research by donating to her JustGiving page.
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