Today on National Siblings Day, we are thinking of all those who have lost a sibling to this devastating disease as we share the heart-breaking story of the family who lost their son to a brain tumour, only to discover his identical twin also had cancer.
Ben Parton was just 11 when he began experiencing symptoms, including sickness and weight loss. A month later, he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and his devastated mum Julie was told he had less than two years to live. Ben underwent surgery and treatment, but sadly died in December 2019, just eight months after his diagnosis.
Shortly after Ben’s tragic death, his identical twin Jack started experiencing symptoms, which were initially misdiagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. It was later discovered Jack had leukaemia. Although he is doing well, he will remain on chemotherapy for two-and-a-half years.
Sharing her heart-breaking story, Julie said: “It is some consolation that with Jack I can dare to feel there is more hope. Although I have been careful not to ask for his prognosis, and too scared I suppose, I know that leukaemia is no longer the death sentence it once was thanks to the investment in research which has led to much-needed treatment options. Tragically, this wasn’t the case for Ben.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. I hope and pray that Jack will be OK and I so wish that would have been the case for Ben. Without investment in research, families like ours have no hope.”
Please support vital research to help fund the fight against brain tumours and make a difference for families affected by this devastating disease.
Related reading:
If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.