Dale, one of triplet brothers, was an outgoing, flamboyant young man who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain stem glioma and given a prognosis of six months. Just 12 weeks later, aged 31, he passed away, but he continues to make his presence felt in his family’s homes by playing tricks like setting the fire alarms off just for fun.
Here is Dale’s story, as told by his sister, Leanne…
Dale was really outgoing and flamboyant, so full of fun and life – in fact he loved life and his family in equal measure. He, Jamie and Scott were triplets, born when I was three years old, with Jamie and Dale being identical and extremely close. The three brothers were naturally conceived and naturally delivered and were the first triplets in 21 years at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Dale wasn’t sporty, but he loved music and especially anything by Pink or Miley Cyrus, as well as Motown.
In July 2022, Dale went away camping with a friend and realised he was walking to the left with his head on one side, a bit like a crab. He felt and looked unbalanced. Dale then found he wasn’t feeling safe driving and started struggling to eat and drink because he was finding swallowing so difficult. He lost more than four kilos in four days.
A visit to the GP resulted in blood tests which didn’t turn up anything. Multiple sclerosis (MS) was suspected, but a CT scan again failed to reveal any answers to what was going on.
In September that year, Dale found himself unable to lift his head and we called paramedics who found that his blood pressure was high too. They took him into the Derby Royal Infirmary.
It was on Saturday 25 September that Dale and his partner Gavin were told, after Dale had undergone an MRI scan, that he had a terminal brain tumour.
“A biopsy confirmed that Dale had an incurable brain stem glioma which was so aggressive there was no point in treatment. They gave him just six months.”
However, the next day the medics had a change of heart and Dale started daily radiotherapy (Monday to Friday) and was given chemotherapy tablets although he continued to find swallowing difficult.
“We knew that every day was a ticking timebomb, but Dale was incredible. He never moaned and always hoped for a miracle. He said I kept him going, but I think we all did. We’re a very close family all living in the same street, in houses next to each other.”
Those weeks after his diagnosis were very hard because we all knew what the outcome was going to be. We tried to make light of it with lots of jokes.
In November, we rented a big house for the weekend in Lincoln and all went there – Mum, Dad, Dale and his brothers and me and my kids, as well as Gavin and Nanna. It was great to have a big Sunday dinner together and make some very special memories.
Meanwhile, Dale kept apologising for having a brain tumour. He wasn’t ready to go.
On 17 December 2022, my birthday, Dale passed away, aged 31, just 12 weeks after his diagnosis. He was just over 6ft tall, but had gone from 18 stone to just under 13 stone.
At least 200 people came to his funeral, with everyone wearing bright colours and flowery shirts as a tribute to Dale.
Since we lost Dale, we still have his sense of humour at the front of our minds as he continues to play silly tricks on us, which we find really comforting. The fire alarm keeps going off at Mum and Dad’s house, but if we say: “OK Dale, that’s enough” it stops. We keep finding 5p coins lying around the house, especially Jamie, who even finds them in his bathroom. We’re sure it’s Dale, letting us know he’s still around.
And when I went to see a clairvoyant, I couldn’t believe it when she told me that someone was playing silly tricks and leaving 5p coins around! How did she know?
“Mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemotherapy in July 2024. It’s rough for us but she’s still here and there’s much more hope because of all the research which has gone on to improve treatments. Dale never had a chance.”
We can’t believe that brain tumours are such a big killer of the under 40s, but the Government doesn’t seem to do anything much about it.
We’ve set up a Fundraising Group called Colours of Hope to raise awareness and keep Dale’s memory alive. We want there to be effective treatments and hope for brain tumour patients in the future.
Supporting Brain Tumour Research, organising events and fundraising, gives me a purpose. We’re looking forward to our first official fundraiser as Colours of Hope which will be a big Halloween party, having organised a successful one last year which raised £4,299. Dale always loved getting dressed up – and it’s a great way to get uncles, aunts, cousins and friends together to remember our dearly loved and much missed brother.
Leanne Hudson
August 2024
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet 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 Dale’s story, you may like to make a donation via or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy .Together we will find a cure.