Glynwen’s story
Glynwen Jones, 67, from Anglesey, a nurse who worked with children with learning disabilities, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in May 2023.
Glynwen had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a bid to slow the progression of the tumour, until the point that chemotherapy stopped working, and the decision was made to stop treatment.
Glynwen died in October 2024, just 18 months after diagnosis. She and husband, Trefor had just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.
“Out of the blue” diagnosis
“Glynwen loved life, friends, family, holidays, clothes going to concerts and theatre, and the vocation she had as Nurse in the Community with Special Needs Children Services in Gwynedd. Every time we went out, there was coffee and cake, or an ice cream on the agenda.”
Trefor
On May 17th, 2023, Glynwen and Trefor were enjoying a day out in Beaumaris, about to pay a visit to their favourite ice cream shop, Red Boat, when Glynwen suddenly felt dizzy.
She went to her GP the next morning, and was referred to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital. MRI scans were carried out and sent to The Walton Centre, Liverpool.
After that, things moved quickly. At a meeting with a neurosurgeon on the 31st May, Glynwen learned she had a right temporal glioblastoma. On 6th June, she had a craniotomy which removed around 75% of the tumour.
After the operation had healed, Glynwen had courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but her mobility was severely affected, and eventually the chemotherapy stopped working. Praising the support she received from district and palliative nurses, Trefor explained:
“After trying different chemo tablets, it then became a waiting game.
“Thanks to the outstanding care provided by the NHS, Glynwen was able to stay in the comfort of her home.”
A walk to remember Glynwen
There were quite a few steep inclines and descents on route but the weather, a sense of humour, the beautiful scenery and talking about Glynwen kept us going.”
Glynwen’s friend and former colleague, Brenda Lewis, had the idea to carry out a walk in memory of Glynwen, and the pilgrimage route from Towyn to Aberdaron in North Wales was chosen.
The date of the walk, the middle of May, was chosen to mark two years since Glynwen’s diagnosis. A plan was made for Trefor and Brenda to complete the whole walk, with friends, family and former work colleagues invited to join at different stages, as and when they were able. On May 10th, Trefor and Brenda set out on their 10 day hike.
The route, which takes in remote churches, ancient oak forests, and beautiful beaches – and incredible wildlife, such as seal colonies and puffins – is challenging in places but the pair were confident they could complete it:
“We couldn’t have picked a better week, we had amazing weather. There were quite a few steep inclines and descents on route but the weather, a sense of humour, the beautiful scenery and talking about Glynwen kept us going. Also, we met lots of lovely generous people on route.
“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us along the way – our niece Holly and her 9 yr old daughter Charlotte, Trish Beird, Dafydd Kendrick, Geraint (Tommo) Iona, Anne-Marie, Pete and Sandra Morris, Mona and not forgetting Sean who walked and also helped with the transport logistics.
“As Glynwen loved clothes so much I took many of Glynwen’s scarves to give out to all participating so that they could wear in memory of Glynwen.
“We weren’t every worried about finishing it as we were doing it in memory of Glynwen and she was looking down on every step of the way. We were supposed to finish on the Tuesday at Aberdaron, but as the weather was so good Brenda, Sean and myself managed to get across to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) to complete the whole pilgrim trail.”
Including Gift Aid, Trefor and friends have raised nearly £4,000 with their walk.
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to devise your own challenge or take part in one that’s already planned, our community fundraising team is happy to support!