Craig Dunn, a 36-year-old father from South Shields, has been told that his cancer has spread to his spine and that his life expectancy may be "just a few weeks to a few months." Dunn, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2025, is now focusing on raising money to support his family after he is gone.
Cancer Spreads Despite Intensive Treatment
Dunn, who is married to Nabela and has a three-year-old daughter named Serena, first began experiencing severe headaches in April 2025. After visiting his GP, he was sent to A&E, where scans revealed a brain tumour. Following emergency surgery, he received the diagnosis of terminal cancer at age 35.
Now, after a year of intensive treatment including multiple surgeries, Dunn has confirmed that the cancer has spread to his spine. He told ChronicleLive: "I had the op last week to remove a third tumour in 18 months [and] had an MRI scan to show the tumour has now spread to my spine from my brain." He added: "The prognosis is weeks / a few months. It's incurable and there's now way it can be reversed."
Fundraising for Family's Future
Dunn, who married Nabela after bringing forward a planned ceremony this year, has previously set up a fundraiser in the hope of finding appropriate clinical trials. He now hopes the money raised will ensure he doesn't "leave my family with nothing."
He said: "I just want to make sure my wife and daughter are looked after. I had sepsis in 2018 so couldn't get life insurance - this is to look after them when I am gone."
Posting online at the page Craig vs Medulloblastoma, where he has chronicled his cancer journey, he wrote: "At just 36 years old, with a beautiful wife, my precious little daughter and the most amazing family around me, this is a reality I never imagined I would have to face."
He continued: "My heart breaks at the thought of the moments I may miss, the memories I may not get to make, and the future I always dreamed of sharing with them. My wife is my rock, my daughter is my entire world, and my family mean absolutely everything to me."
He added: "I wish I could have more time. More cuddles, more laughter, more family days, more memories and more chances to watch my little girl grow up. The thought of leaving my wife, my daughter and the people I love most in this world is something I cannot put into words. Right now, I’m trying to process news that no husband, dad or family should ever have to face."
He also said: "The thought of leaving my family with nothing haunts me. I want to me to make sure they are looked after. Thank you for everyone being there for me."
Wife's Own Experience with Cancer
Last year, Nabela spoke about losing her mother Breda to cancer when she was just one year old. She ran the 2025 Great North Run for Brain Tumour Research.
At the time, Nabela said: "Losing my mam changed my life in ways I’m still coming to understand. Going through everything with Craig has brought a lot of those emotions back to the surface. Some days it feels like I’m being asked to walk through grief all over again – but my mam’s memory reminds me to hold tightly to the people I love and to keep going, even when it’s hard."
Craig's GoFundMe page is available for those wishing to support the family.
