A woman’s speech issues, initially attributed to menopausal symptoms, turned out to be a result of an underlying brain cancer diagnosis. Michelle Dilger, aged 52, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain tumor, and was given a prognosis of only one year to live. Despite her symptoms being dismissed as menopausal by general practitioners, a gynecologist eventually recognized the severity of her condition, leading to an emergency scan that confirmed the presence of cancer. Subsequently, Michelle underwent significant surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Remarkably, Michelle has surpassed expectations, living for eight years since her diagnosis and is now 60 years old. Her journey has inspired her son, Jack Dilger, 29, to pledge £1 from each sale of his new sports performance brand, Cramp Killa, to Brain Tumour Research. This charity utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance treatments for glioblastoma.
Jack, a marketing student at the University of the West of England when his mother fell ill, emphasized how her deteriorating speech was a clear indicator that something was gravely wrong, despite earlier misdiagnoses of menopause and anxiety. Following the discovery of the tumor, Jack’s perspective shifted, leading him to support Brain Tumour Research due to its dedication to scientific advancements and finding a cure.
Driven by his experiences, Jack founded Cramp Killa with a purpose beyond athletic performance, aiming to contribute towards brain tumor research with every sale. He drew inspiration from his friend, British swimmer Archie Goodburn, who overcame his own brain tumor diagnosis to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Brain tumors are a significant concern, claiming more lives among younger individuals than any other cancer. Despite this, only 1% of national cancer research spending has been allocated to brain tumors since 2002. Jack hopes that his collaboration with Brain Tumour Research will unite the endurance sport community to support the cause.
Dan Knowles, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research, highlighted the urgency for increased research funding, applauding the partnership with Cramp Killa for its potential to drive new discoveries towards more effective treatments. The collaboration aims to advance research efforts and work towards finding a cure for brain tumors.
