Stephen Blakeston, a father from Hull, England, tragically passed away from an aggressive form of brain cancer after his initial symptoms were dismissed as stress-related by a GP. His daughter, Hollie Rhodes, is now running the London Marathon to raise funds for brain tumor research in his memory.
In October 2010, Blakeston began experiencing severe headaches and difficulty with speech. His daughter recalls her mother describing his jumbled sentences and distress. When they consulted a GP, his symptoms were attributed to stress, and he was even accused of faking, a claim Rhodes vehemently denies.
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A subsequent CT scan revealed a tumor growing on the left side of Blakeston’s brain, impacting his speech. While surgery successfully removed the tumor, a biopsy confirmed it was an incurable glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant form of brain cancer. He underwent radiation and chemotherapy, and initial scans showed no signs of recurrence.
However, in July 2011, shortly after completing treatment, Blakeston collapsed at home and died. Paramedics were unable to revive him, and he passed away on his daughter’s bedroom floor. The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot in his heart, although the connection to his cancer treatment remains unclear.
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Rhodes is now channeling her grief into action by running the London Marathon to raise money for brain tumor research. She has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of this disease, not only through her father’s experience but also through other diagnoses, including a friend’s newborn child.
Driven by the memory of her father and the knowledge that a cure could have saved his life, Rhodes is determined to complete the marathon, even though running is not her strength. She is running for her father, for the grandchildren he never met, and for the hope of a future where others don’t suffer the same tragic loss. She is raising money through a JustGiving page to support vital research in the fight against brain tumors.
