According to reports, Tom Parker of The Wanted has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma. The artist stated that he found out about the tumor six months ago.
“I knew something wasn’t right but I never expected it to be this,” Parker said in an interview with OK! Magazine.
Per reports, this is an illness that sadly took the lives of names including Sen. John McCain in 2018 and Beau Biden, the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, in 2015. According to BBC News, Parker was put on a waiting list after suffering a seizure in July. However, the young star would be rushed to the hospital after experiencing another seizure. After days of testing, medical officials discovered the brain tumor.
“They pulled the curtain around my bed and said, ‘It’s a brain tumour.’ All I could think was, ‘F*****g hell!’ I was in shock,” Said Parker. “It’s stage four glioblastoma and they’ve said it’s terminal. It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven’t processed it.”
Parker’s wife, Kelsey Hardwick, was restricted to be with her husband in the hospital during his testing, due to wanting to keep her safe in the coronavirus pandemic.
Parker shared the heartbreaking news through an Instagram post. The 32-year-old British singer told followers that he’s already receiving treatment. In addition, that he and his wife, decided to share the news to create disease awareness.
“There are so many stories of people who were given a bad prognosis and are still here five, 10, even 15 years later,” said Parker. “We are abll absolutely devestated but we are gonnd fight this all the way.”
“We don’t want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options,” Parker continued.
According to the National Brain Tumor Society, the illness unfortunately has no cure. In an interview with Britain’s OK! Magazine, Parker and his wife shared that doctors described the tumor as “worst case” and is terminal. The average life span of patients with grade four glioblastoma, one of the most serious tumor types, is between one year and 18 months.
Those who are Parker’s age, the five-year survival rate for the illness is 22 percent per the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer society also says that Glioblastomas are among the fastest-growing types of brain tumors. In addition, a fatal brain tumor amongst adults. Research convey that cognition, mood, behavior and other bodily functions are affected as the tumor spreads. Normally leaving a person unable to work or do everyday activities.
The star singer’s wife stated Parker’s bandmates have shown amazing support. Saying that Jay McGuinness and Max George have visited them. In addition, that fellow members Nathan Sykes and Siva Kaneswaran have contacted the couple regularly.
“Siva [Kaneswaran] and Nathan [Sykes] obviously live a lot further away, but all four of the boys have been texting regularly and sending through different articles and possible treatments and therapies that they’re all reading about,” she said. “They’ve been amazing.”
