Michelle Dilger, a 52-year-old mother of two, experienced confused and disjointed speech that was repeatedly dismissed as menopausal symptoms by doctors. She was later diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, and given just 12 months to live. Now aged 60, Michelle has inspired her son Jack to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research through his sports brand Cramp Killa.
Misdiagnosis and Discovery
Michelle's speech became increasingly confused, prompting her family to seek medical help. Despite multiple visits to doctors and A&E, her symptoms were attributed to menopause or anxiety. It was only during a routine gynaecology appointment in November 2018 that a consultant recognised the severity and referred her for an emergency scan, which revealed the brain tumour within 30 minutes. She underwent major surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Son's Inspiration
Jack Dilger, 29, from Henley-on-Thames, was in his final year of studying marketing at the University of the West of England when his mother fell ill. He recalled, "My mum is an incredibly intelligent woman. She’s always had amazing attention to detail; she’s brilliant with words. Then suddenly, she started sending messages that didn’t really make sense. Her speech became confused and disjointed. Looking back now, it was such a clear sign that something was seriously wrong."
Supporting Research
Jack's experience inspired him to create Cramp Killa, a sports performance brand, and donate £1 from every sale to Brain Tumour Research. The charity uses artificial intelligence to improve glioblastoma treatments. Jack said, "The experience transformed my outlook on life and inspired me to build a brand with a purpose beyond sport. Cramp Killa isn’t just about helping athletes perform at their best. It’s about creating something positive from an incredibly difficult experience."
Broader Context
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, and more women under 35 than breast cancer. Yet only 1% of national cancer research funding has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002. Dan Knowles, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research, said, "Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder of why greater investment in research is urgently needed. Our scientists are working tirelessly to unravel the underlying biology of these dreadful tumours and uncover new ways to attack them."
Jack was also motivated by his friend Archie Goodburn, a British swimmer who qualified for the Commonwealth Games despite being diagnosed with three oligodendrogliomas at age 23.
