Selcuk was only 46 years old when he passed away. After a year fighting he lost his battle. He had an aggressive glioblastoma multiform (GBM4).


This is his partner, Christy's story…

Selcuk was a true inspiration with his achievements! I believe faith brought us together and I'm so grateful that he was part of my life! He always supported me and guided me in every way. Without him I would not have achieved the life that I have today!



On 20th December 2014, we were looking forward to our road trip to the Netherlands, by car, to see my family for Christmas. Planning to stop over in Germany visit the famous Christmas market. When we were on the road to catch the Eurotunnel he didn't feel good, saying that his field of vision had decreased by over 75%.
On the 23rd, Selcuk suffered the 1st of his seizures. With the scans at the hospital in Germany showing nothing and Selcuk feeling fine, we continued on to Amsterdam. The 2nd seizure happened on Boxing Day, we both decided that something isn't right, so cut the visit short.

Following an urgent GP referral, we saw a Neurologist who booked a full body scan for the following day. 2 days later, we received the call that a mass had been found in the brain. A biopsy procedure was booked and the consultant decided to remove the mass at the same time. The surgery went well, with Selcuk even joking that his memory was fine, reeling of family phone numbers.

1 week later we received the news that the biopsy revealed it was glioblastoma multiforme (GBM4) and survival rate was 15 months, they took 96% of the tumour, unfortunately 4% they couldn't touch.


Selcuk had radiotherapy for 6 weeks and, combined with chemotherapy, 3 months later the MRI scan there was no movement. It looked promising during his treatment, he got his moment, despite not feeling well and tired (side effects) he was really positive and fighting for survival!

Selcuk went back to work 4 weeks after his operation, back to near full time hours within 2 week. Despite his own diagnosis he still wanted to help people.

An MRI scan in September revealed the tumour had unfortunately grown back bigger the size than before, the operation in September managed to remove 86% of the tumour.

Towards the end of December Selcuk had a further MRI scan. The results showed the tumour had grown even bigger and spread out in his brain, there's was nothing more they could do for him - the doctor gave us only 4 months.

During this time, Selcuk started losing control of his body. His right eye slowly started closing, he began losing control of his legs and his speech became a struggle. Confusion is another side effect of the tumour.

However he never gave up fighting.

The night before he passed all his family and best friends where around him. On the early morning 23rd January 2016 his brother was calling his name and I woke up just next door, I ran in to see him and call his name, then Selcuk took his last breath as if he was waiting for me before he went.



This is a horrible disease.

•    Less than 20% of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis.
•    Brain tumours are the chief cause of cancer deaths in children and young people. In 2015, the number of children dying from cancer was 194, with brain tumours taking 67 young lives.
•    Brain tumour research represents just 1.37% of national spend on cancer
•    At the current rate of spend, it could take 100 years for brain cancer to catch up with developments in other diseases and find a cure
•    Awareness of the devastation caused by brain tumours is low. Less than 10% of people in the U.K. know that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

(All facts are taken from http://www.braintumourresearch.org)


On the 19th February 2017, Neil Bryant, Graham Tritton, Yannick Dyant, Alan Costales, Sonia Kumar, Rohit Kumar and Shadrack Brown are going to run the Hampton Court Half Marathon in honour of Selcuk. We will be running for the charity http://www.braintumourresearch.org/

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Thank you