Soon after her brother Lee was diagnosed with a brain tumour, Paula Masters gathered family and friends to join him on our Walk of Hope fundraiser. They participated in five of these events alongside Lee and this year would have been their sixth. Lee sadly passed away in April, aged 38. Paula shares his story and why she’s determined to take on this walk again in his memory.
After suffering visual auras – a flashing light on the left side of vision, and seizures, Lee was diagnosed with an inoperable low-grade astrocytoma in 2018. He underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy and continued having routine scans. He had set up a construction business with his friend Marcus and always kept busy with work and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed food, going to music festivals, performing in his own band, travelling and watching his favourite football team, Aston Villa.
In April 2024 Lee and his partner Helen travelled across America with friends from New York to California. In May he went on a family holiday and in July Lee bought a house with Helen, and was excited to turn it into their dream home. But those plans were put on hold when a scan a few weeks later showed that his tumour was growing. A cyst had formed near the tumour, and in September Lee had surgery where due his resilience, led to removing 85% of it. He was awake during the operation and kept whistling the song ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,’ which was typical of Lee, as he always remained optimistic about his condition.
Just 10 days after this debulking operation, he joined me and other family members and friends for Walk of Hope. He was determined to take part and wanted to be there to contribute to the brain tumour community. His friend braided his hair, so he looked like a Viking, which brought some laughter to the day! Lee started walking with us, but he wasn’t strong enough to complete the route, so my sister drove him to the end. There was such a great atmosphere, and it was a memorable event. Lee kept saying: "It’s not about me, it’s about finding a cure for everyone.”
Lee with family and friends at their Walk of Hope event
He started another round of chemotherapy just after Christmas and soldiered on with his life. He and Helen had moved into their new house, which had been stripped to a shell to renovate. He continued to plan trips and holidays abroad. But about six months later in June 2025, he developed shingles and had to stop chemotherapy as his body was too weak to cope with this treatment. He soon recovered and was determined to keep doing all the things he enjoyed. He went to gigs, band practice each week, a festival, continued working and went on a holiday with Helen for their birthdays. Lee loved travelling and since 2023 he'd visited Bali, Lambok, Switzerland, Portugal, America (New York, Yosemite, LA), Madeira, Belgium, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Corfu and Albania.
Lee and Helen on holidays abroad
But another blow came in November when he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood cancer which stopped his red and white blood cell production and made him vulnerable to infections. He needed injections and blood transfusions for red blood cells but somehow gained strength. Doctors were baffled when his body started producing white blood cells again. That’s how Lee was, his fighting spirit defied all odds. So, it was a complete shock for all of us when a medical appointment on 9th December 2025 revealed that his tumour had progressed to grade 4 and he was given a prognosis of just 12 months to live. We were all totally devastated and struggled to come to terms with this. Lee still thought he could prove everyone wrong and could beat his tumour. We all did. He never gave up.
He was meant to go on a ski holiday in February 2026 for a friend’s stag weekend, but doctors advised he couldn’t fly, he was so disappointed. So Helen booked a cruise around Northern Europe instead and they had the best time, they thoroughly enjoyed it. My sister had also brought her wedding forward so Lee could be there to be witness. We were realising our time with him was limited and we had to make the most of every occasion.
Lee at my sister's wedding
In March 2026, Lee’s mobility began to deteriorate, and he was not at all himself. We called an ambulance on Saturday 14th March. I remember it was the day before Mother’s Day, and the hospital staff told us to say our goodbyes as they predicted he’d pass away within 48 hours. Family and friends rushed to be with him to say their final farewell. There were lots of tears and it was utterly heartbreaking. But once again, Lee surprised us all. During the early hours on Monday morning, he opened his eyes and slowly started talking again, he improved and then got his appetite back. Medical staff couldn’t believe his sudden progress. Lee loved his food, so my daughter fed him Ambrosia Devon Custard which he savoured. His speech came back and we had five more weeks together, which were completely unexpected.
Lee was surrounded by so many people who loved him. He never complained, he was just grateful for the doctors and nurses, and family and friends who came to see him with gifts and his favourite foods. He always put everyone else first and even in his worst state, he still thought of those around him. Lee and Helen had a few date nights in hospital where friends had cooked delicious food for them. We played board games, he watched Aston Villa matches, his band members came and played his record on vinyl. We had an Easter egg hunt with his great nephews in the hospital's rose garden, and he fought to stand despite doctors saying he would never walk again. Lee just wanted to carry on.
If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever. But Lee passed away peacefully on 18th April after almost two weeks in respite care, with Helen and his three sisters by his side. It was devastating for us. My pregnant daughter gave birth two days before he passed and she took her baby, Oscar Lee, to see his great uncle the day before he died.
Lee had the most amazing send off, nearly 400 people attended his funeral, and almost 200 people watched online from all around the world. He was loved by so many people. We played his favourite songs and all came together to celebrate his life, he was the most courageous, funny, remarkable, kind young man. Our parents who are 80 and 82, have done well to cope with everything but it’s hard, there’s still such a sense of disbelief amongst us all.
Lee's nephews and friends at an Aston Villa match in his memory
Despite our grief and the really hard days, we’re getting ready for our sixth Walk of Hope. This year will be a completely different walk without Lee, but we will continue with every step in his memory. There’ll be a large group as always; a mix of family and friends. We’ll meet at the Pavilion in Torquay and walk to Paignton, and on the way, we’ll talk about Lee and share our memories.
When we’ve taken part in previous Walk of Hope fundraisers, we’ve spoken with others who’ve been impacted by tumours. These events make you realise how underfunded this disease is and how we desperately need to find a cure. We know that our fundraising could play a part in making this happen. Over the years we have raised nearly £15,000 and will continue to do all we can. We always wear our pink Brain Tumour Research shirts; this year we’ll have Lee’s name and photo pinned on the shirts with a message that says, “Lee Masters walks with us forever.” He will be with us in spirit. We’ll be walking in memory and bringing hope to others.
Inspired by Paula? You can also help us raise awareness of the impacts of brain tumours and funds to help find a cure by taking part in Walk of Hope. Register today to plan a walk wherever you are.
Related reading:
