{"id":57934,"date":"2026-03-29T02:14:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T06:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/i-was-diagnosed-with-incurable-brain-cancer-on-holiday\/29\/03\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T02:14:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T06:14:23","slug":"i-was-diagnosed-with-incurable-brain-cancer-on-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/i-was-diagnosed-with-incurable-brain-cancer-on-holiday\/29\/03\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer on holiday&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One minute Joanna James was relaxing on a sun lounger, enjoying a holiday with her partner to celebrate her 50th birthday &#8211; and the next, she was unable to speak, being cared for in hospital and diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy back home in Yorkshire, there was nothing more the NHS could do and she was given just 12-18 months to live.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">That was in September, but six months later she is beginning immunotherapy treatment in Germany which it is hoped will extend her life &#8211; and her family and friends are helping her fundraise to cover the \u00a3100,000 cost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Joanna, from Ilkley, has raised almost \u00a338,000 through an online fundraiser and her brother Sam is training to run the length of the 190-mile (305.7km) Coast to Coast path to raise even more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Joanna was on holiday in Greece with her partner Mark Whittington, also 50, when she was suddenly unable to speak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Writing about her experience on her own fundraising page, she said: &#8220;Mark reacted immediately and I was rushed to hospital. Within 24 hours, our world fell apart.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;A diagnosis like this doesn&#8217;t just shake your world; it shatters it. One day you are planning the future, and the next you are being told your prognosis is 12\u201318 months,&#8221; Joanna said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma &#8211; but is hoping specialist treatment in Cologne could buy her more time, and preserve her quality of life.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Joanna underwent awake brain surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy [Joanna James]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Since that day, I have undergone awake brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I have faced each stage with determination and strength because I am not ready to stop fighting for my life,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Joanna has now begun immunotherapy treatment at Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum K\u00f6ln (IOZK), a clinic in Cologne.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The treatment is not a cure, but could exend her life &#8211; however including travel and medical costs, the full cost is estimated at about \u00a3100,000.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A man in a blue t shirt running with a backpack on and wearing a cap, he has a number on which is 207.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/eLG2nTvebx.0n0hfrVIjtg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/f204b29d9fa60cdfa34fde63a6a795a4\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Sam Bagshaw, 39, will run the 190-mile Coast to Coast path from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood&#8217;s Bay in North Yorkshire in three days and hopes to raise \u00a33,000 [Sam Bagshaw]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Her youngest brother Sam, who also lives in Ilkley, said there was nothing he could do about the diagnoses &#8211; but he could run 300km to raise some money to help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The father-of-three will start his challenge on 24 April, carrying his own kit across the path which takes in three national parks &#8211; the Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors &#8211; with his wife Lauren as his support crew.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He explained: &#8220;I&#8217;ve been doing loads of running for quite a while now and Joanna has always been going on at me to do stuff for charity, but I&#8217;ve never wanted that added pressure. But then I thought, I might as well put it to some good.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I started raising money for the brain tumour charity, but then we found out about the immunotherapy treatment in Cologne, so are now raising money for that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A woman and a man hug, they are in a pub, and are brother and sister.  YOu can see the bar in the background with a row of glasses and a bartender. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ken9rhIofqXnH2U_bJNdDQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/61e1f922707069a2f0c6057822ae7cdf\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Joanna and Sam share a close bond [Sam Bagshaw]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He said they planned to hire a camper van they could sleep in between his 100km each day. But as the cost is proving too high, he is considering now running the challenge in just two days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sam has some experience in ultra running, having previously run a 100km race in he Brecon Beacons. He hopes this time he will be joined by friends for sections of the route.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I&#8217;m setting off on my own but I&#8217;ve got a few friends who like running and they said they might join along the way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I&#8217;m going to have a tracker so they can see where I am and then join as I go,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As for the training, Sam has been running 100km a week for the last five weeks &#8211; equivalent to more than 11 hours plus strength training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He hopes a positive attitude &#8211; just like the one Joanna is keeping throughout her treatment &#8211; will help him through the challenge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Listen to highlights from <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/curation\/p0cjdv3n?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds&quot;}\" class=\"link \">West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds<\/a><em>, catch up with the latest <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/b006mj5m?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:episode of Look North;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;episode of Look North&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>episode of Look North<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More stories like this<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Related Internet Links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/articles\/diagnosed-incurable-brain-cancer-holiday-054312997.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One minute Joanna James was relaxing on a sun lounger, enjoying a holiday with her partner to celebrate her 50th birthday &ndash;<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/i-was-diagnosed-with-incurable-brain-cancer-on-holiday\/29\/03\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/f7d24a9abb44d8fc044e9379699b95e1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57934"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57934\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}