Student’s life turned the wrong way up after good friend spots severe symptom on FaceTime
Alex Warwick, 23, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour after his mate noticed speech problems during a video call. Now the University of Liverpool student needs £200,000 for specialist treatment in Germany
A young man’s life has been plunged into chaos after his friend spotted a symptom leading to a heart-breaking diagnosis while they were chatting over facetime ordering takeaway.
Alex Warwick, 23, was studying medicine at the University of Liverpool when he suddenly fell ill, later discovering he had a serious and dangerous tumour. With Alex not responding favourably to chemotherapy his loved ones are frantically trying to raise the necessary funds for advanced treatment in Germany.
Alex, who hails from North London, confessed his love for Liverpool grew stronger due to the support he received after falling ill. He has received treatment at local hospitals The Walton Centre and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
It was in May last year, while ordering a takeaway and chatting to a friend on FaceTime, it became clear something was amiss. His friend noticed an issue with Alex’s speech with Alex later returning home and informing his housemates he wasn’t feeling well. The situation rapidly worsened and his friends and housemates hurried him to the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Doctors initially diagnosed Alex with a stroke and he was transferred to Aintree where he received more distressing news. It was revealed the 23-year-old had a brain tumour and would need emergency surgery, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Alex had to break the devastating news to his parents, who had driven overnight from their home in Weymouth to Liverpool. Alex’s father, Ian, recounted the overwhelming experience of arriving at the hospital. He shared: “It was a very long journey, Alex’s mum Indira and I just talked all the way to stay alert before we walked into the hospital and realised the seriousness of the situation.
“Alex’s friends had stayed with him the whole time and gave us a full debrief. He has an astonishing group of friends who couldn’t do enough for him.” Ian added: “In the early stages, you have no choices, there are no options, you walk into a critical situation and you just have to step up and try and work out what will be best because Alex was not in a position to be able to make decisions for himself.
“The pressure on his brain was so high, so he had to have a temporary external shunt put in and we had to make the decision to make that a permanent shunt once he had the initial surgery.”
Ian expressed immense gratitude towards Alex’s surgeon at The Walton Centre, Professor Andrew Brodbelt. He said: “He was simply wonderful, I cannot praise the man highly enough.”
Alex was diagnosed with a very high grade glioma, which is being treated as a gliobastoma. Tragically, this typically carries a prognosis of 12 to 18 months.
Despite a large portion of the tumour being surgically removed, he was informed chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be necessary to attempt to eradicate the remaining cancer. Alex’s parents relocated from Devon to Huyton to remain close to their son throughout his arduous treatment journey.
Ian revealed: “The community there was amazing. All the neighbours rallied round to support us through this whole process.”
For Alex, remaining in Liverpool held particular significance. Despite his London origins, he has embraced life as an adopted Scouser over the past five years, developing a deep affection for the city. He has even cultivated a passion for Liverpool Football Club and gained experience working as a medic at Anfield.
He explained: “I love Liverpool. The fact I had The Walton Centre and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on my doorstep was amazing, both of them are part of my medical course as well.
“It was always important for me to stay in Liverpool, this is where my life is. I always sing the praises of this city to my friends from elsewhere. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful.”
His father commented: “When he came for his university interview here I was walking around the city for a few hours. When I met up with him again I said I hope it went well because you are going to love this place – and he does.”
Tragically, Alex is approaching the conclusion of his standard NHS treatment programme and has witnessed some regrowth of his tumour. This development has prompted his family to explore private treatment options, particularly pioneering immunotherapy available in Germany.
This treatment, alongside travel expenses and insurance, is anticipated to cost approximately £200,000. Alex’s family and friends have already managed to raise an remarkable £58,000, but with time running out, they are frantically sharing his story in hopes of securing additional funding for this essential treatment.
Alex has said: “I have been amazed at people’s generosity, within about 12 hours we hit 10k or something. I was taken aback by the messages people were sending. Everyone has been so kind. No matter big or small, everyone’s contributions are amazing.
“From the start we have been looking at other things but now it has become very important because I have been on chemotherapy alone for a few months and it seems to have not worked very well.”
Ian continued: “Unfortunately all of it is experimental from here on in, that’s the bottom line, because we don’t really have any other options under the NHS.
“Alex has had some regrowth after the chemotherapy, so we are urgently looking to do things elsewhere. It’s such a shame because the NHS has been simply brilliant throughout all of this. We need to support that but it is terribly sad that we have to go elsewhere.
“But people have been so generous, we have all been crying at the messages coming through on the fundraising page.”
The messages posted about Alex make it evident what a beloved and well-regarded young man he is. His close mate, fellow medical student and housemate John Johnson, who accompanied him to hospital when he became unwell has said: “I met Alex on my course, we got really close and within two months we agreed to live together.
“He was just so bubbly and funny. I’m a bit of a worrier and he’s the opposite, so he was really good at helping me see things differently and getting me out of my shell.
“I’ve got no issue in saying that he has had a massive impact on me. We get on so well, we do have a special relationship.”
Alex’s father Ian revealed: “We had a toast to Alex recently and I could barely get the words out, but one thing I said is that I don’t think Alex has had a minute of his life where he hasn’t known how loved he is and I think that’s given him amazing strength, positivity as well as kindness. He is one of the most open, genuinely thoughtful and incredibly empathetic people you will ever meet in your life.”
Alongside his mum and dad, Alex is receiving support from his three sisters Elya, Isabella and Katya. He acknowledged he is fortunate to be surrounded by so much affection during his challenging battle.
He revealed: “My family have been incredible, my mum, dad and sisters. I have felt so much love and support which has been so important. For anyone who is going through this alone, it must be so difficult.”
Meanwhile, despite facing such a formidable challenge, Alex – who managed to complete his master’s degree following his diagnosis – is now setting his sights on returning to his studies in Liverpool later this year.
He added: “I am trying to keep some sense of normality, because obviously this has all been quite a shock. I really want to do back to university in September.”
