The Edward Dyson Fund

Edward's story

Edward's first symptoms came in March 2007, six months after his marriage to Victoria and weeks after the confirmation that he was to be a father. While playing football with friends, Edward was seen to move in circles to his left and collapse on the floor. The diagnosis came in April, when it was suggested that the brain tumour was not malignant. It soon became apparent that it was.

Able to receive both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Edward was given fantastic treatment by teams in London and Kent hospitals. By the summer of 2008, Edward appeared to be on the road to recovery; the birth of Harry the previous November had given him a new determination and he oozed positive energy; he was able to begin pursing some of his lighter outdoor activities and regularly took Harry for short bike rides and long walks. Shortly after Harry's first birthday and Edward's thirtieth, on a Christmas family skiing trip, his health took a turn for the worse and Edward was admitted to hospital in late December 2008. Diagnoses were varied and confusing, but it became clear that Edward was deteriorating rapidly: once a fit and active young man, he was reduced to communicating through hand pressure and eye movement and unable to function without help. Edward's family moved him from Guy's Hospital in London to a family holiday cottage on the white cliffs of Dover where he was able to spend his last days surrounded by family and those he loved. Early on Friday 13th February 2009, Edward died.

Although cut short, Edward's life was a blessed and genuinely full one, and his positive attitude throughout his ordeal was truly inspiring. Harry is developing into an energetic little boy and displays many of Edward's characteristics; the similarities are startling and a source of comfort and real joy to all the family.

The help received from The Brain Tumour Charity was enormous for Edward's wife and his mother; it is something the family will never forget. The work the Charity does is ground-breaking and hugely important. It really is shocking how little the world seems to know about brain tumours. The aim of the Fund is to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity in Edward's name so that they can continue to help families like ours and uncover some of the unanswered questions.

Who well lives, long lives; for this age of ours should not be numbered by years, days, and hours.
Guillaume de Salluste Du Bartas, Divine Weeks and Works, 1578

You can read more about past fundraising events and donate to The Edward Dyson Fund here: www.justgiving.com/inmemoryof-EdwardDyson/