## Gloucestershire Grandmother Transforms Life-Altering Diagnosis into Charity Mission
A grandmother from Stroud, Gloucestershire, whose uncharacteristic irritability and memory lapses turned out to be symptoms of a brain tumour, has channelled her experience into supporting crucial medical research. Jan Burrell, 62, had put her persistent migraines and forgetfulness down to the natural process of age, but over time, her behaviour became impossible for her and her loved ones to ignore.
In 2019, Jan noticed something unsettling—frequent forgetfulness such as leaving houses unsecured after her cleaning rounds. Rather than raising the issue with her husband, Steve, she chose to shoulder these changes silently, suspecting age, stress, or the earliest signs of dementia. “I’ve always tried to push on and get things done, so I dismissed it,” Jan recalled. “There were times I wondered if I was just approaching old age or if, perhaps, it might even be the start of Alzheimer’s.”
The situation began to escalate several years later, as Jan’s temper frayed and she increasingly felt detached from her usual patient self. It was during a short walk to the chemist, encouraged by her husband, in early 2022 that matters came to a head. Halfway there, Jan suddenly lost part of her vision and struggled to speak, finding herself unable to form words at the pharmacy counter. Embarrassed and frightened, she retreated outside, only able to partially communicate before dissolving into tears, overwhelmed by the sudden loss of control over her body.
Rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and later transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, Jan and her family braced for news. While initially fearing she had suffered a stroke, tests revealed a different, daunting reality—a brain tumour the size of a fist. Jan recalls the emotional gravity with which the neurosurgeon delivered her diagnosis: “When the doctor told me, I shouted ‘no!’ as loudly as I could. It just never crossed my mind it could be a brain tumour.”
Doctors identified Jan’s tumour as a meningioma, a typically slow-growing growth. Jan underwent a major operation, known as a craniotomy, to remove as much of the tumour as safely possible. The road to recovery proved demanding. She struggled with strong medications that produced vivid hallucinations, and was left with quadrantanopia, losing vision in a quarter of her visual field, which now requires ongoing care from an ophthalmologist.
Amid doubts about her future, especially regarding her passions for drawing and painting, Jan turned her focus to leaving a meaningful legacy. She began writing a heartfelt book for her then one-year-old grandson, Finn, meticulously crafting the story by hand, letter by letter. “I just let the words flow from my heart,” Jan explained. “With so much uncertainty about my own future, I wanted Finn to have something personal—a message of joy and wonder—even if I couldn’t be there to share it with him myself.”
Three years of determination and saving with her husband finally saw the project come to fruition. Titled *Finn’s Wonderful World*, Jan’s book not only serves as a cherished family memento but also raises funds for Brain Tumour Research, a cause that has become central to her life. All proceeds from sales are directly donated to support ongoing research efforts.
Since her diagnosis and subsequent surgery, Jan’s resilience and generosity have inspired those around her. Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, praised her initiative: “Jan’s story is a moving example of the strength and creativity people discover in the face of adversity. Her willingness to share her experience and fundraise for research is making a real difference.”
Now, as Finn has grown into a four-year-old who is the spitting image of the boy Jan illustrated in her book, the entire experience feels especially poignant. “Seeing Finn enjoy the story I wrote for him means the world,” Jan reflected. “This journey has given me purpose and hope, knowing we’re contributing to research that could change lives.”
Members of the public can support Jan’s fundraising by buying copies of *Finn’s Wonderful World* via her Etsy page, JanBurrellArt, with every sale helping to push forward research into a disease that remains significantly underfunded.
Jan’s journey from a frightening diagnosis to finding renewed meaning in supporting others highlights a powerful transformation—her struggle has become not just a family story, but a beacon of hope for those impacted by brain tumours everywhere.