A 62-year-old with a brain tumour has turned her life-altering diagnosis into a legacy of love, by writing and illustrating a children’s book for her grandson.
Jan Burrell was diagnosed with a fist-sized meningioma in February 2022, after worrying her brain tumour symptoms were the result of early-onset dementia. She said: “The doctor sat me down and said the words ‘you have a brain tumour’. All I remember is shouting ‘no!’ at the top of my voice. Suddenly, I had a flood of thoughts; the grandchildren I wouldn't get the chance to see grow up.
“I’ve always loved painting and drawing, but I rarely had the time. The diagnosis reignited that creativity. Being a granny brings me so much joy. I love watching my grandchildren grow and show their personalities. I was terrified that I wouldn’t get the chance to do that for Finn.”
Jan – whose story was featured on BBC News – decided, despite brain tumour treatment causing permanent loss of a quarter of her vision (quadrantanopia), to leave a written legacy for her youngest grandchild in case her fears came true. She wrote and illustrated a children’s book, Finn’s Wonderful World, with proceeds funding life-changing research at our Centres of Excellence.
She explained: “I wanted to leave Finn something deeply personal, a message of wonder and joy, in case I wasn’t there to share it with him myself. It has given me purpose and focus.
“Finn was just one when I had my surgery. Now he’s four and looks exactly like the boy I drew. To see him enjoy the story I created for him, it’s the most special gift. I poured my heart into it, and to know it’s helping fund vital research means everything to us.”
Remember to purchase a copy of Finn’s Wonderful World and support vital scientific research.
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