‘If mum had not broken her arm we would never have known she had a brain tumour’
Alison Whybrow, 59, with her daughter Hannah Munday
A Stoke-on-Trent mum went to hospital with a broken wrist – and was “shocked” to discover she had a brain tumour. Alison Whybrow, 59, was admitted to the Royal Stoke after suffering a fall at home in November 2022.
While receiving treatment for a broken wrist, Alison unexpectedly lost consciousness from the pain and remained unconscious for over six hours. Concerned doctors ordered CT and MRI scans, which revealed a 1.5mm low-grade meningioma – the most commonly diagnosed brain tumour in adults – behind her right eye.
Alison’s daughter, Hannah Munday, 29, is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to raise vital funds and awareness of brain tumours. She said: “If mum had not broken her arm we would never have known she had a brain tumour.
“This is our fourth Christmas since diagnosis, and each one feels more precious than the last. You learn very quickly not to take anything for granted. Every Christmas we share together is a gift.”
Hannah is helping to raise awareness of the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal which is calling on the public to help fund pioneering research to change the story for brain tumour patients. More than 100,000 people in the UK are estimated to be living with a brain tumour or the long-term impact of their diagnosis, yet research into the disease has been chronically underfunded.
Hannah said: “My mum and stepdad Darryl didn’t want to worry the family, so they kept the diagnosis to themselves at first. Because the tumour was non-cancerous, they tried to shield us from the worry. I only found out by overhearing a phone call between my mum and her doctor. I was shocked and horrified. It was such a relief to later learn that everything is stable.”
Alison now has routine annual scans to monitor the tumour’s growth, which may require surgery in the future. Hannah said: “My mum is my best friend, so learning she had a brain tumour was incredibly scary. I did the 88 Squats a Day in July challenge for her, and for others who are living with brain tumours. It was tough at times, but I felt amazing for completing it and doing something positive in her honour.
“Now I am supporting the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal. I am so grateful for the research that is happening, research that is so desperately needed. Without continued progress, families like mine wouldn’t have the hope we hold on to. That hope means everything.”
Letty Greenfield, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re so grateful to Hannah for taking on this challenge. Stories like this are a powerful reminder of how indiscriminate brain tumours are. They can affect anyone at any age. Hannah’s dedication is inspiring, and it’s thanks to people like her that we can continue funding pioneering research and giving hope to all those affected. I hope that Hannah and Alison’s story inspire others to donate to our Christmas Appeal.”
To support Brain Tumour Research and to donate to the Christmas Appeal visit www.braintumourresearch.org/christmas
Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREE