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Family backs brain tumour research after death

Adele WilkinsonLeicester
Wilton Family Image shows the Wilton family at Southwold standing in front of the beach. On the left is Harriet Wilton, Isaac's sister and she is wearing a white button up shirt with patterns on and beige summer trousers. To the right of her is Isaac Wilton, who has his arm round her and is wearing a beige zip up jumper with black trousers. To his right is his mum Jo Wilton who he has his arm round too. She is wearing a blue and white patterned top. To her right is Isaac's dad John Wilton, who is wearing a green polo shirt and grey trousers. Behind them is the sea and some sand. Wilton Family
The Wilton family have donated almost £190,000 towards brain tumour research

Isaac Wilton was a passionate supporter of a charity dedicated to finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.

The 22-year-old, from Coalville in Leicestershire, died from a glioblastoma - an aggressive form of brain tumour - in October 2025.

To mark the first anniversary of his death, his family donated £190,000 to the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham.

Isaac's sister Harriet Wilton said: "The research is so important because of how these tumours show up and no other centre like this exists in research."

The centre opened in January following a £2.6 million investment from Brain Tumour Research.

The university said it would see researchers embark on a world-first study to understand and treat glioblastoma.

Isaac was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma after having a seizure during a workout at the gym in April 2024.

A fundraiser was set up by Harriet in October the same year to raise money for immunotherapy treatment.

The money allowed Isaac to explore other treatment options, with plans to travel to Germany for experimental immunotherapy.

The remainder of what was raised formed the donation to the centre to fund a PhD researcher in his name.

Wilton Family Image shows Harriet and Isaac Wilton standing together smiling at an event. Harriet Wilton is on the left and is wearing a black dress. Isaac Wilton is to her right and is wearing a smart black suit jacket over a white shirt and is wearing a bow tie. Behind them are others in the background, out of focus. Wilton Family
Harriet Wilton spoke of the helplessness felt after being told nothing more could be done to save her brother's life

Isaac was first offered an NHS clinical trial at The Royal Marsden in Sutton, Surrey, which was tailored to the results of his genome sequencing.

Genome sequencing is the laboratory technique used to determine the sequence of nucleotides or bases in a DNA molecule.

According to Harriet, "for a few months, it appeared to be working, with Isaac's tumour shrinking by 40%".

"Sadly, a few months into the trial, Isaac became unwell and deteriorated very quickly.

"The tumour had spread to his spine, and he was no longer able to travel to Germany for immunotherapy."

She described how "devastating" it was to see her brother's hopes and dreams of getting married to his childhood sweetheart and starting a family slip away, following the deterioration.

Harriet said: "Being told there is nothing more they can do is the worst thing you can possibly hear.

"You feel helpless, especially for my parents - when you have a child and if they have an issue, you just want to solve it, and being told there is nothing you can do, is the worst."

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