Claire Cordiner, 54, and her husband
Photo by SWNS

Edinburgh Mum’s Heartbreak as She Loses Four Family Members to Brain Cancer in 16 Years

Claire Cordiner, a dedicated residential care officer from Gilmerton, Edinburgh, has bravely shared her family’s devastating journey with aggressive brain tumors, aiming to raise awareness about a disease that claims more lives under 40 than any other cancer. Over the past 16 years, Claire has endured the loss of four beloved family members to this relentless illness, including her mother, sister, nephew, and cousin.

In her poignant account, Claire detailed the heart-wrenching experiences that have shaped her life. “My mum’s speech started to go a bit and the GP initially thought it had been a mini-stroke and they said they would keep an eye on it,” she explained. Tragically, within weeks, her mother, Margaret O’Kane, aged 67, became incoherent and was rushed to the hospital.

“Her eyesight wasn’t great either and she thought it was old age. She never suffered from any headaches,” Claire recounted. Despite efforts to treat her, including radiotherapy and surgery, Margaret passed away in October 2008, surrounded by family at home as she wished, reports Edinburgh Live.

The sorrow did not end there. Claire’s younger sister, Angie Jones, from East Kilbride, succumbed to a brain tumor at just 36 in December 2009. Angie’s battle was particularly painful as she chose not to undergo treatment initially to have another child. “My sister opted not to go through treatment as she wanted to have another child,” Claire shared.

Angie eventually underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy but ultimately lost her fight after developing pneumonia. Claire described Angie as the “life and soul of the party” who remained positive despite her diagnosis. “Dancing Queen was her funeral song,” she added, reflecting on Angie’s vibrant spirit.

The family’s grief deepened with the tragic loss of Angie’s son, Max, who died from a brain tumor at the age of 19 in July 2023, shortly after his birthday. Max’s father, Kevin, had already faced the heartbreak of losing both his partner and son to the same disease. “It was devastating for Kevin to lose them both,” Claire expressed. Max was known for his love of football and enjoyed strong support from friends and healthcare professionals during his final days at Kilbride Hospice.

The latest sorrow struck with the passing of Claire’s cousin, David McCulloch, aged 56, in February 2024. David’s struggle began with minor twitching episodes mistaken for stress-related issues, only to be diagnosed with an inoperable Astrocytoma BT six months later. His condition worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing timely treatment, and ultimately leading to his death after a severe fall down the stairs.

Claire’s relentless fight against brain tumors has driven her to become a passionate advocate for research and support. Since 2016, she has been actively raising funds for Brain Tumor Research, viewing it as a way to process her immense grief. On January 28, Claire attended the opening of Scotland’s first Brain Tumor Research Centre of Excellence, a milestone she described with heartfelt emotion: “Every time you have a headache you think, is this the start? I worry about my kids, my siblings, and my nephews and nieces. Brain tumors have absolutely devastated our family.”

At the center’s inauguration, Claire expressed her hope for future advancements: “Today has been a long time coming, it’s so significant. Ground-breaking research, which will help thousands of people in Scotland, is being done on our doorstep. I’m so excited and I really look forward to hearing about discoveries that will lead to new treatments and, hopefully, a cure.”

Claire Cordiner’s story is a testament to resilience and the urgent need for continued research and support for those affected by brain tumors. Her openness about her family’s losses serves as a powerful reminder of the personal battles many face and the importance of collective efforts to combat this deadly disease.

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