25-year-old with terminal cancer says "This is my purpose".

When Jack Rawding-Revell began suffering from double vision, severe headaches and overwhelming fatigue earlier this year, he had no idea how dramatically his life was about to change.

The 25-year-old council worker from Hadfield initially thought his eyesight was the problem when he experienced double-vision in February. “I went to the opticians and got glasses” Jack told the Glossop Chronicle. “It helped for a bit, but then my eyes got worse again.”  

Soon, more worrying symptoms began to develop.  

“I was coming home from work and sleeping for 12 hours a night but still struggling to get up the next day. I’d also wake up with a really bad headache.”  

Then, in early June, things took a dramatic turn.  

“I was throwing up loads” Jack said. “I thought, ‘This isn’t right. I’d better get myself to Tameside Hospital.’”  

A CT scan led to him being rushed to Salford Royal Hospital after doctors reviewed the results and decided he needed urgent treatment.  

Jack had a tumour blocking the flow of spinal fluid, causing pressure which was responsible for many of the symptoms he had been experiencing. “They operated on me the next day” he said. “They put a hole in the back of my brain to release the pressure" 

Further tests brought devastating news. Jack had an aggressive and inoperable brain tumour - Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) with an H3K27M mutation.  

“When I first heard the news that I had an inoperable brain tumour, I was with my mum (Joanne) and dad (David), and we were all shocked” he said. However after having time to come to terms with his diagnosis, Jack is now focusing on the good he can do.  

“I’ve had time to think it through, and I’m determined that this is just a stumbling block in my life” he said.  

Jack has just completed six weeks of radiotherapy at The Christie, finishing his treatment on Friday 21st August. He had initially been given a prognosis of between 12 and 18 months but was advised by his oncologists at The Christie not to put a fixed timescale on his future.  

Jack says speaking to other people living with a similar diagnosis has helped him enormously. “I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the same situation, including some proper warriors and survivors, and it’s really helped to calm me down. They’ve given me a lot of hope.  

“As weird as it sounds, this has given me a bigger purpose in life. Before, I enjoyed my job and my life and I had great friends and family around me, but now I feel like I’ve got an actual purpose. I want to raise awareness, help other people in the same situation as much as I can and hopefully make a difference. Going through this, you start to think about what sort of impact you want to leave behind.”  

Jack says his current oncology team has been “fantastic”, but he is now seeking to access further treatment abroad to try new drugs that may prolong his life.  

He is hoping to travel to the Netherlands for a clinical trial involving a treatment which is not currently available to him in the UK. Switzerland is another possible option, although this would be more expensive.  

Jack will have further scans in early September to assess his condition and determine whether he is eligible to travel for treatment. “If my cancer has not progressed or changed in any way, I’ll be able to go” he said.  

If he is able to travel to the Netherlands, Jack expects to spend around two months there initially before returning regularly for further treatment. His current fundraising will go towards his living costs whilst there.  

Throughout everything, Jack says he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from those around him: “My friends and family have been absolutely amazing” he said. “They are being so positive and supportive.”  

Jack has an older brother, Tim, and an older sister, Alanna, while his cousins - Maisie, Violet and Archie Revell recently organised a football fundraiser to support him.  

His girlfriend, Danielle, has also been a constant source of support. “We went away for a short break last week and it was just good to do normal things together and take my mind off things” Jack said.  

Jack is currently feeling well physically and says the surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain made an immediate difference. “Since the pressure was released in my brain I feel so much better” he said. “My oncologist is pleased with how well I am feeling and I really think that being positive about everything is helping that.”  

While he waits to find out whether he can travel to the Netherlands, Jack is determined to continue raising awareness and funds. He hopes that documenting his experience on social media will not only help him but could make a difference to others in the future: “I really hope that I can be part of changing the landscape of how things currently are for others” he said.  

“I want to raise awareness and show people that something like this isn’t all doom and gloom, and that having a diagnosis isn’t the end of things. There is hope and we shouldn’t just immediately feel fear.”  

Jack’s direct message to others facing a similar situation is: “It’s not the end of the road. There are more treatments coming out every day. If anyone needs some positive support then please message me as I’m more than happy to help.”  

Jack’s friends Emma Power and Scott Thompson have set up a GoFundMe page to support his fundraising efforts. They wrote: “Jack has always been the life of the party and we want to raise some money for him to have a few more. If you are able to donate or share our fundraiser then we would be immensely grateful. Your support means the world to Jack and his family, and together we can give him the best possible chance.”  

Jack has pledged that any money remaining after his own treatment needs have been met will go towards helping others in similar situations, supporting brain cancer awareness charities and contributing towards efforts to find a cure.  

“Any donations made, big or small, will help” he said. “Anyone who’s donated so far, I can’t thank you enough. It could change my life and the lives of others.”  

Jack’s friends are already planning further fundraising events, while he hopes to continue building awareness through his social media channels.  

People can follow his journey on TikTok at @jackrawding and through his Facebook page: Jack Rawding-Revell.  

Jack says the support from his home town has given him enormous strength: “A massive thanks to Glossop, the love I’ve had from the community is fantastic.”  

For Jack’s mum, Joanne Revell (above), watching the way her son has faced such a difficult diagnosis has been a source of immense pride.  

“I am so overwhelmed with the love that has come from Glossop, everyone has really got behind us, and Jack’s friends especially have been so amazing organising the football fundraiser” she said.  

“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us. I couldn’t be any prouder of Jack. He is just smashing it.  

“I’m in awe of him and the fact that he is being so positive has made it easier for us all and helped us be positive too.”  

As Jack waits for his next scan and hopes for the opportunity to pursue further treatment, he remains focused on the purpose he says he has found through the most difficult period of his life - sharing his journey, supporting others and refusing to let his diagnosis define the limits of what may still be possible. 

You can donate to Jack’s fundraising page at: www.gofundme.com/f/together-with-jack