Kelly Smith, from Wrexham, is urging the Welsh Government to take action after her husband Joshua was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. Joshua, 34, was repeatedly dismissed by doctors until a scan revealed a 4.5cm mass on his brain in January. He was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with a prognosis of 12 to 18 months. Every year, around 3,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with a glioblastoma. Just one-third survive beyond 12 months, and only 4 per cent survive for five years or more. There is no cure, and treatments have not improved in over two decades.
Campaigning for Change
The couple is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research during Glioblastoma Awareness Week to push for increased Government investment into research. They are supporting the charity’s manifesto for Wales, It’s Time to do Things Differently, which highlights that no brain cancer patients in Wales were recruited to clinical trials between 2019 and 2024.
Joshua's Symptoms and Diagnosis
Joshua, a machinist at Tritech, began experiencing severe headaches and episodes of confusion earlier this year. Kelly said: "In January, Joshua started complaining of what seemed like brain fog. Then one night he developed an excruciating migraine and said it felt like his head was going to explode. The pain lasted for days. I took him to the GP because I knew something wasn't right. Joshua never goes to the doctor. I remember saying there were red flags, but we were told there was nothing to worry about. Days later, I took him to A&E in Wrexham because his symptoms were getting worse. We were sent home with morphine and told to come back if things deteriorated."
Discovery of the Tumour
Despite being discharged, Kelly remained deeply concerned. The next morning, she insisted Joshua return to hospital instead of going to work. Doctors performed a CT scan, which revealed a 4.5cm mass on his brain. Kelly said: "Hearing those words was terrifying. You know something is wrong, but you never expect it to be that. When they told us it wasn't cancer, we felt hopeful. Then the next day they came back and apologised. It was cancer after all. We were devastated. It felt like we'd been lifted up and then completely crushed."
Surgery and Treatment
Joshua was referred to The Walton Centre in Liverpool, where surgeons confirmed the mass was a glioblastoma. They advised surgery, acknowledging risks including paralysis, personality changes, and death. Surgeons successfully removed around 95 per cent of the tumour. Joshua underwent six weeks of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy and will continue treatment in the months ahead.
Creating Memories
Despite the uncertainty, the couple remains focused on creating memories together. Kelly said: "Our dream was always to have children and start a family together, and before Joshua's diagnosis that was something we were actively trying for. We also love exploring the country in our self-converted campervan and had so many plans for future trips and adventures. At the moment, those plans have had to be put on hold while we focus on Joshua's treatment, but we still make the most of every opportunity to create special memories together. Those moments mean even more to us now."
Fundraising and Research
Kelly recently raised more than £2,000 by walking 200km in May to support the charity’s work at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham. Scientists there are using artificial intelligence, advanced brain imaging, and genomic techniques to better understand glioblastoma recurrence and accelerate progress towards improved treatments. Kelly said: "There are options and emerging treatments that give families hope, but they aren't always available here in the UK. That's incredibly frustrating. Joshua's story is still being written and we're holding on to every bit of positivity we can. That's why supporting research is so important. We need more options, more treatments and ultimately a cure."
Call for Government Action
Brain Tumour Research is calling for increased national investment in research, more clinical trials, and improved access to innovative treatments for glioblastoma patients. Dr Karen Noble, director of research policy and innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Joshua's story reflects the devastating reality faced by so many families across the UK. We are calling on the Government to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours, including glioblastoma. We need to also see an increase in the number of clinical trials, and access to them, in the UK, and we want to end inequalities in access to whole genome sequencing that could inform access to trials and emerging treatments."
About Brain Tumour Research
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research to speed up new treatments and ultimately find a cure. The charity is driving the call for a national annual spend of £35 million to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
