A mum-of-two experienced tiredness and started “bumping into things” prior to a devastating diagnosis.
Beloved Alina Hunter was told she had a glioblastoma brain tumour and tragically died just 16 months later at the age of 55.
In January 2022, she started feeling fatigued, confused and breathless as well as struggling to get dressed
An MRI scan at Stepping Hill Hospital, in Stockport, three months later revealed she had a brain tumour.
Alina underwent surgery at Salford Royal Hospital in May, followed by a 10-week course of radiotherapy at The Christie Cancer Centre in Manchester and six months of chemotherapy.
But a check-up scan in December revealed Alina had developed a second tumour on her brain.
She completed further courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in January – but the tumours were still growing.
Alina received palliative care at home before she died in August this year.
In her memory her close friend Helen Wildon, 54, is set to take part in a sponsored walk alongside Alina’s husband and two sons to help raise money to find a cure for the disease.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Helen said: “What happened to Alina was so sad. She was such a lovely person with a relatively young family.
“She was so positive and never complained, I was in awe of her.”
Helen, from Poynton in Cheshire, recalled the symptoms Alina experienced.
She said: “She was very tired and started being confused at times; her coordination was getting worse, and she would bump into things.
“Alina also had difficulty getting dressed and experienced breathlessness.”
Helen will be taking part in the Walk of Hope in Stockport on September 30 to raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research.
She will be accompanied by Alina’s husband Chris, 55, and her sons, Joseph, 21, and Daniel, 17.
“Alina was determined to beat the brain tumour and live as long as possible,” Helen added.
“We now want to raise as much money to research brain tumours as possible.
“We’ll be thinking of Alina on the walk, I think she would be proud.”
To donate to Helen’s walk visit justgiving.com/page/helen-wilson-1694184258916.
According to the NHS, common signs of a brain tumour include:
- Headaches
- Seizures (fits)
- Persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems.
If you experience any symptoms you should speak to your GP.
