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Last month, 34-year-old father Owain James, from Caerphilly, was told he had an incurable brain tumour and would have only months to live if no action was taken.

A plumber and a keen footballer, Owain and wife Ellie, 33, received the news after visiting the A&E department at the University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, after experiencing severe headaches and what he found out were seizures.

Just a week before his grade 4 diagnosis, Owain was playing football for Church Village FC and in May, he took part in a 10k race with friends.

The news turned the lives of Owain and Ellie, who have an 18-month-old daughter together, upside down – and they decided to go everything they could to have as much time together as possible.

Owain has since had surgery to remove half of the tumour and is currently undergoing an intensive course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The couple got married on October 8, surrounded by family and friends.

Ellie said: “Words can’t explain how utterly devastated we are by the discovery of Owain’s tumour. We have gone with everything the NHS has to offer. An incredible team of surgeons at the University Hospital of Wales have removed as much of the tumour as they could without impairing Owain. The course of radiotherapy he is having is using the full amount of radiation one person can have in their lifetime and chemo-wise, he is on the most suitable NHS-approved drug.

“We are desperate for more time with Owain and there are additional treatments out there that would give us more time, but sadly, they are not available on the NHS.”

Ellie continued: “We have done our research, liaised with our oncologist and there is hope. Immunotherapy, which is changing the face of cancer care, is a viable option for Owain. But it comes at a very high cost. Essentially, a biopsy sample is taken and a vaccine is produced for Owain, specifically to fit his unique tumour. Then his body takes over and fights the cancer itself. But the cost of manufacturing the vaccine is £200,000, with additional medical expenses on top.

“Optune is also a viable treatment that is available to people in Owain’s situation in both Germany and the US, but sadly, it is not currently available on the NHS. It works in a similar way to radiotherapy, but uses electromagnetic waves to target the tumour.” 

A crowdfunding page has been set up with the aim of raising £250,000 for Owain’s treatment – with more than £21,000 already raised in just over a week. 

Ellie said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated so far. Their support has given us hope and strength to keep fighting. But the reality is that we still have a long way to go. Any donation you can make, no matter how small, will get us one step closer to these additional treatments for Owain. Every day is so precious to us, we just really hope we can have more.” 

A series of fundraising events to raise funds for Owain, including a ten-mile walk taking in Caerphilly Castle, Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle, as well as a fundraiser at Llantwit Fardre Rugby Club. Any businesses wishing to donate a raffle prize can email fundsforowain@hotmail.com.