The family of a dad from Didsbury who lost his life to a brain tumour have backed the use of a new drug which could give patients more time.
John Manton was 59 when he died in February this year, due to a glioblastoma brain tumour, following two-and-a-half years of treatments.
Since John’s diagnosis, the Manton family have been raising money to support The Brain Tumour Charity in the trial of a new drug which could extend the lives of thousands of people who are diagnosed with a recurring glioblastoma, like John.
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The family have raised more than £23,000 to support the trial of Sativex, a drug which contains cannabinoids THC and CBD, through challenge events and a donation from Barclays Bank, where Callum currently works and John used to work.
John first showed symptoms of a brain tumour in May 2018. He started hearing music in his head, began to slur his words and had a seizure.
John’s son Callum, 25, described his dad as ‘kind and selfless’ saying: “Dad was a very positive person and he didn’t complain about the diagnosis he was given.
“He was fully aware of the severity of his brain tumour and he was quick to turn his attention towards anything that could help maintain his wellbeing and improve his already positive mind-set.”
John underwent treatments including surgery to remove the tumour and multiple courses of chemo and radiotherapy. Despite this, he was only given between six and 18 months to live.
The tumour grew back, and following its regrowth, John’s condition worsened and he began to struggle with walking and talking.
In November of 2020, he was told he only had a few months to live and passed away on February 12, 2021.
Callum said: “I really struggled in the time leading up to the doctors telling us that Dad had just two months left to live.
“We knew the time was coming but I couldn’t ever imagine what that day would feel like. It was the realisation that I didn’t have much time left with the person I loved the most - my best friend.
“The final few weeks and days were even more difficult and we saw someone so strong and courageous be taken away by this awful disease.”
“I have read so much about other cancer types but there is limited awareness about brain tumours or glioblastomas," Callum added.
"A glioblastoma is known in the medical community as ‘The Terminator’ which speaks volumes.
“Something needs to change. We were incredibly lucky to get two-and-a-half years with Dad but we know that other families have been a lot less fortunate than we were.
“I would say to anyone thinking of donating to this trial that their support has the real potential to have a massive impact on so many people’s lives.
“Even if this trial just changes things for one person then it would be worth it. Please donate whatever you can to help people like my amazing dad.”
The new drug, Sativex, works with chemotherapy and was found to have the potential to extend survival from glioblastomas brain tumours following initial trials.
Now, The Brain Tumour Charity are trying to raise £450,000 to start a three year phase II trial with 230 patients in 2022.
Dr David Jenkinson, Interim CEO at The Brain Tumour Charity, which is funding the trial, said: “We hope this trial could pave the way for a long-awaited new lifeline that could help offer glioblastoma patients precious extra months to live and make memories with their loved ones.
“With so few treatments available and average survival still so heartbreakingly short, thousands affected by a glioblastoma in the UK each year are in urgent need of new options and new hope.
“We know there is significant interest about the potential activity of cannabinoids in treating glioblastomas, and we’re really excited that this world-first trial here in the UK could help accelerate these answers.
“But we also know that for many, like the Manton family, this trial won’t come soon enough.”
For more information or to donate to The Brain Tumour Charity, click here.
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