Father pens memory book inspired by brain tumour son

A neuroscientist from Cardiff whose world “fell apart” after his son died of brain cancer has written a book to raise money to fight the devastating disease.

Multiple trophy-winning runner Hugh Aggleton, from Hampshire, was 35 years old and in peak physical condition when he suffered a sudden seizure whilst cycling. An MRI scan revealed the acclaimed athlete was living with a high-grade glioblastoma (GBM). He died at the age of 37 in August 2022.

Hugh’s father, John Aggleton, professor at Cardiff University, said: “Hugh had absolutely no symptoms. The seizure was a complete bolt from the blue. When we arrived at the hospital, we were told without any warning that he had a golf ball sized brain tumour. It was devastating.

“Hugh had gone from being in the prime of his life, to being told he had 15 months to live.”

During his battle with his GBM Hugh underwent rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and multiple surgeries, but the tumour was incessant. In the third and final operation, Hugh suffered a stroke which left him with severe complications down his right side.

The fell runner, however, who had previously represented Wales and had twice won the world-famous Man vs Horse Race, refused to be defeated.

John said: “He had astonishing willpower. I can still picture Hugh trying to walk around and around the park opposite our house, desperate and determined to walk normally. He improved so much, although anyone who looked closely could see that something wasn’t quite right.

“It was extremely difficult for him, although he never let it overwhelm him, despite knowing what was happening. In the three weeks before he died, everything deteriorated so quickly. He had held out hope that he might see his 40^th birthday. In the end he got nowhere near. The Welsh Fell Running Association honoured him by creating an annual trophy, as well as flagging races in 2023-24 with his name.”

For neuroscientist John, who has spent the last 50 years studying the brain, Hugh’s death marked a terrible and tragic irony. Needing a project to focus on, John has written a book entitled ‘Memory and the Brain: Using, Losing, and Improving’, with 100% of the royalties being donated to Brain Tumour Research.

“It’s really hard to explain what happens when your world falls apart,” said John.

“It’s a book for anybody to read who is interested in memory. Whilst it’s not about Hugh and his tumour, I was inspired to write a book about memory as that is all I have left of him now.”

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Hugh was an incredible athlete and person, and his tragic death highlights the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours. Anyone, regardless of health or age, can suffer from this terrible disease at any time.

“We are beyond grateful to John for sharing Hugh’s story with us and for agreeing to donate all of his earnings from the sale of his book to help us finally defeat brain cancer.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.

The book is due to be released on 16 December. Find out more by visitingwww.routledge.com/Memory-and-the-Brain-Using-Losing-and-Improving/Aggleton/p/book/9781032826592

To donate to help us get closer to a cure for GBM and all brain tumour types, visit:https://akawzwdl.donorsupport.co/page/gbm-awareness