A father who dismissed his fatigue, headaches and blurred vision as the need for new glasses was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour after collapsing while picking up his son. Shane Crommer, 35, from Nottingham, initially attributed his symptoms to a busy lifestyle with his wife Laura and their 20-month-old son, Elijah.
In autumn 2025, his condition worsened with forgetfulness and balance issues. After falling twice while trying to lift his son, a CT scan at Queen's Medical Centre revealed a mass on his brain. A biopsy later confirmed a rare diffuse midline glioma, a tumour more common in children. He underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy to relieve pressure from blocked fluid, followed by 30 sessions of radiotherapy.
Shane, a fitness influencer, said: 'I was just tired all the time. But I explained it away. Each symptom on its own felt insignificant, but looking back, they were all connected.' He is now being assessed for a clinical trial involving the experimental drug ONC201 and has donated tissue for genetic research.
The father is supporting the launch of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham, funded by a £2.6 million investment from the charity Brain Tumour Research. The centre will focus on high-grade brain tumours, aiming to improve treatments and outcomes for patients.
Shane urged others to trust their instincts: 'If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Brain tumours don’t discriminate. Families deserve better options, better treatments and better hope.'
