BBC Breakfast aired a devastating update on the morning programme just days after Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn broke down in tears while issuing a plea to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Goodburn was told he had brain cancer when he was just 22 years old, and is now campaigning for more resources to improve treatment for the condition. In an impassioned plea live on the show, he said tearfully, with hands shaking: "Andy Burnham, if you believe and you want to make a change and difference to the future of our country and our young population, please listen to us. Please establish a national brain cancer lead, and give us a chance to fight for our lives."
Mum's emotional response
Today (August 8), the programme spoke to Julie Parton near Cannock, who sadly lost her son Ben to a brain tumour when he was just 12 years old and who was touched by Archie's message.
"She lost her son Ben when he was 12, eight months after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour," reporter Joanna Writtle explained.
Julia said: "It gave me goosebumps, because it brought everything to the forefront of what we've been through with Ben. I just thought how amazing he was."
Family's double tragedy
Devastatingly, Ben's twin brother Jack was diagnosed with leukaemia only two weeks after his brother was laid to rest. Jack, who is now 18, has been raising thousands for charity with his mum to raise funds for cancer research.
Julie said: "My son Ben knew that he wasn't going to make it, and he didn't want people to forget him. So my way of remembering him is by doing all these interviews and bringing awareness so he wasn't just my son – he was here for a purpose."
She also donated his brain tumour for research to improve treatment for glioblastoma.
