A woman who lost her husband to a brain tumour has paid tribute to him on the second anniversary of his death.
Simon Penwright, 52, died just 10 months after being diagnosed with a multifocal glioblastoma.
His wife, Emily is now supporting the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal to help fund game-changing research.
“Everybody always described Simon as a gentleman which is what he was,” Emily said, “He was a businessman, but he was also an amazing husband, an amazing step-dad, amazing dad, amazing son, sibling and friend to many.
“He was so funny. We miss his humour and laughter a lot in the house. He was very organised, proactive and could turn his hand to everything. I just miss him so much. His death has left a huge void in our lives.”
Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research - based here in Milton Keynes - has recently announced a multi-million pound investment in a new Centre of Research Excellence at the University of Nottingham. In a world-first study, researchers will use artificial intelligence (AI) to combine genomic data and advanced MRI imaging to predict the earliest signs of brain cancer recurrence.
Simon received the shock diagnosis after waking with a severe headache and a foul but inexplicable taste and smell. He underwent surgery followed by high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Since Simon’s diagnosis, his friends and family have raised more than £50,000 as part of the Simon’s Drive Fundraising Group.
“Fundraising has given us something positive to focus on and we wanted to do something so other families don't have to go through what we have gone through," said Emily, who works at Willen Hospice.
“I would urge people to donate to the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal because the disease is so underfunded but affects far more people than anybody can ever imagine. Your donation can make a real difference by funding game changing research to help fund a cure to help other families in the future.”
Visit www.braintumourresearch.org/christmas to donate to the appeal.
