Oliver’s Story
“We had Oliver for 23 years, eight months and 20 days and we wouldn't change a day; we just wish we had more.”
Oliver’s mum
“Oliver arrived on 20th June 1999, Father's Day, he was the best gift. He was such a laid-back, chilled, funny, genuine, bright and beautiful boy.
Oliver was diagnosed in June 2021 with grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma. He had to undergo two surgeries, two rounds of radiotherapy, three different chemotherapy regimes and many alternative treatments.
Every hurdle he faced, he did it with strength, courage and resilience. He was always the same Oliver, with a positive attitude and a love for life. Anyone who ever met him saw how amazing he was.
Oliver was a fantastic son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and a great friend. I was extremely privileged that he chose me to be his mum/his scoops ( as he called me !). We had the best times and many fabulous memories we will treasure forever.
If love, courage and strength alone could have changed the outcome, it would have in abundance.
On the evening of 8 February, Oliver passed away, with me, Billy and Oliver’s sister, Emily, by his side.
We had Oliver for 23 years, eight months and 20 days and we wouldn't change a day; we just wish we had more.
I feel so frustrated that there are other treatments available in the world that work, but they are not available on the NHS. The standard of care is very limited. When Oliver was diagnosed, I was suddenly put in a situation where I needed to research treatments and medication while also becoming a fundraiser to pay for potential treatment abroad. I became part of a club I never wanted to be part of. Things have got to change, and there needs to be more money to research this devastating disease.
The Tessa Jowell Foundation wants to enable the changes needed by funding the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission which works tirelessly to raise the standards of care, treatment and research across the NHS.”