Man’s unquenchable thirst caused by brain tumour: Gavin White collapsed on family holiday in Greece

A man's unquenchable night-time thirst - combined with episodes of confusion and changes in eyesight - turned out to be a serious brain tumour. Gavin White collapsed while on holiday in Greece with his family in July 2023 after suffering a seizure on a beach.

After recovering, the 46-year-old underwent tests on his return to the UK, which revealed the serious tumour - and a devastating diagnosis. Gavin was told he had a glioblastoma and was given between six to 14 months to live after scans at Bedford Hospital.

He was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, for an awake craniotomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy – and his tumour is currently stable. Now, almost three years later, he has raised more than £100,000 for Brain Tumour Research with colleagues from work and ran the TCS London Marathon on Sunday to boost the fundraising total.

Living “scan to scan”, Gavin said he remains as positive as possible, and training for the Milton Keynes Marathon in 2025 helped him through his treatment. Gavin, founder of automotive business Autotech Group, from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, said: “Everything happened so quickly. I was told I had a brain tumour and that I would only have between six and 14 months to live.

“It was pretty blunt, but I never give up and do what I can to stay positive and raise money for research. Up until my diagnosis I had no desire to do a marathon, but then I thought, ‘Why not?’. It keeps me mentally occupied and physically fit while going through treatment, and I was lucky enough to have a group of friends who would come out on runs with me.

“I pretty much live my life in three-month segments from scan to scan because I always know there’s a strong chance this will come back at some point and it could kill me. I just take every day as it comes and try to be as positive as I can."

Gavin was on holiday with family in July 2023 when he collapsed on the beach in a seizure, struggling with symptoms like headaches and an unquenchable thirst that year. Scans back in the UK confirmed he had a glioblastoma – a highly aggressive and rapidly growing tumour that is especially challenging to treat with around 3,200 people in the UK receiving a diagnosis each year.

He has since thrown himself into raising vital funds to help research and finding a cure. “When I was diagnosed, everything I heard about brain tumours was doom and gloom but now things are moving at pace," he added.

“Researchers are really trying to find a way around this, but ultimately it’s all about money. The more money and time you can throw at something, the more likely you are to find a solution to the problem. Other cancers have benefitted from increased funding so now it’s time brain tumours received more. Being connected to Brain Tumour Research is a big part of my life now.”

Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Gavin’s determination to take on the London Marathon is truly inspiring. Brain tumours are indiscriminate and devastating, and stories like Gavin’s highlight why greater investment in research is so urgently needed.

“We are incredibly grateful to Gavin for turning his experience into action and helping us raise vital funds and awareness as we work towards finding a cure.”

To support Gavin’s fundraising campaign, visit his JustGiving page.