Kieran's Journey: A Devastating Diagnosis and His Unwavering Fight Against Brain Cancer

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Kieran Shingler, a 26-year-old HGV driver, thought he had contracted COVID-19 in 2022, but his symptoms persisted, and he was eventually diagnosed with a grade three astrocytoma, a fast-growing cancerous tumor on his brain. Despite undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the tumor began to grow again, and Kieran's health continues to be a concern. His girlfriend, Abbie Henstock, has been his rock throughout this ordeal, and the couple has set up a fundraising page, Kieran's Krew, to raise money for brain tumor charities and cover medical expenses.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kieran Shingler, a 26-year-old HGV driver, was initially misdiagnosed with COVID-19 in 2022 but was later diagnosed with a grade three astrocytoma, a fast-growing cancerous tumor on his brain.
  • Kieran underwent four operations, including a biopsy, and received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which initially showed the tumor shrinking but then grew again.
  • The tumor was reduced from 5.5cm to 0.35cm in 19 months without treatment, before growing again.
  • Kieran's health has been a concern since his initial diagnosis, and he suffers from short-term memory loss as a side effect of the invasive surgery.
  • Abbie Henstock, Kieran's girlfriend, has been his primary caregiver and has helped him raise over £52,000 for brain tumor charities and medical expenses.
  • Kieran's Krew, the online fundraising page set up by the couple, has evolved into a platform for raising money for brain tumor charities and supporting Kieran's medical expenses.

Statistics:

  • Kieran's tumor reduced from 5.5cm to 0.35cm in 19 months with no treatment.
  • The tumor started to grow again in June 2025, after 19 months of no treatment.
  • Kieran underwent 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which ended in February 2023.
  • Kieran was told to have another 6 cycles of a higher dose of chemotherapy, which was later changed to lomustine when the tumor started growing again.
  • The online fundraising page, Kieran's Krew, has raised over £52,000 for brain tumor charities and medical expenses.

Sources:

  • [BristolLive]