Taxi driver, 52, who kept getting lost died just weeks after discovering the true cause of his headaches
A DAD died just weeks after discovering he had a brain tumour.
Allan Campbell, 52, had been suffering from headaches, anxiety and forgetfulness before being told he had stage 4 glioblastoma.
He was delivered the devastating news on New Year’s Eve 2022 and passed away on March 8, 2023.
Allan, who was a taxi driver all his life, started experiencing symptoms earlier that year.
On top of headaches and anxiety, he was so forgetful he would lose his sense of direction on his usual daily routes.
Daughter Niamh, 25, told GlasgowLive: “It came on very quickly.
“He was a taxi driver his whole life but he would get in his car and forget how to get to the shop down the road.
“Then he developed a few personality changes; he would feel anxious, which was unusual for dad.
“It then came to light that he was having headaches, which he never told us about – but, the doctor thought it was due to his caffeine intake.”
It wasn’t until Allan went to the opticians that the severity of his condition became clear.
“My dad’s wife thought he maybe needed new glasses or something, but that’s when the optician picked up something dark behind his eye,” Niamh said.
“After initially thinking it could have been a stroke, he was sent straight to A&E where within an hour and a half he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.”
Allan remained in hospital for several days before returning to his family at home, where he died two months later following “a short, courageous and determined fight”.
In memory of their dad, Niamh and her sister Kimberley are hosting a casino night in Drumchapel, Glasgow, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
The event will take place on June 7, and donations can be made on GoFundMe.
Niamh wrote on the page: “Brain tumours are massively underfunded, with only one per cent of the national spend on cancer research allocated to this devastating disease.
“We hope that the funds we raise can help contribute to finding new treatments for this horrible disease and prevent future families enduring the heartbreak we have sustained.
“A massive thank you in advance to anyone who supports our efforts in making a difference.”
Glioblastomas are the most common form of cancerous brain tumour.
There are around 2,500 new cases every year in the UK, and most sufferers die within 12 to 15 months of being diagnosed.
Singer Tom Parker, who was in the band The Wanted, died in March 2022 after being diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma.
Campaigner Laura Nuttall, who inspired Peter Kay‘s first gig in four years, also died from this type of cancer in May 2023, as did Tessa Jowell, a former Labour cabinet minister who passed away in May 2018, and TV presenter Annabel Giles, who died in November 2023.
What is a glioblastoma?
Glioblastomas are a fast-growing type of cancerous brain tumour.
They are classified as high grade, or stage 4, meaning they are are more advanced.
Symptoms depend on where the tumour is located, but they can include:
- Headaches
- Personality changes
- Memory problems
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Difficulty thinking
- Seizures
- Problems with eyesight
Scientists don’t fully understand what causes glioblastomas, therefore there is no clear way to prevent the disease.
The main treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The average survival time following a glioblastoma diagnosis is 12 to 18 months.
Only 25 per cent of patients live beyond one year, and just five per cent survive more than five years.
Source: Cancer Research UK and the Brain Tumour Charity