Man’s ‘unquenchable thirst’ was sign he hada brain tumor

By Emily Phillips

A man's "unquenchable thirst" turned out to be a deadly brain tumor after he collapsed on vacation in Greece.

Gavin White, 46, was on a family vacation in Greece in July 2023 when he suffered a seizure on a beach.

He had been having headaches, episodes of confusion, changes in his eyesight and an unquenchable thirst at nighttime.

Flying back to the UK for scans at Bedford Hospital, it was revealed he had a glioblastoma and was given between six to 14 months to live.

He was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, for an awake craniotomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy — and his tumor is currently stable.

Now almost three years later, he has raised over $125,000 for Brain Tumor Research with colleagues from work and will run the TCS London Marathon this weekend to add to the funds.

Living “scan to scan,” White remains as positive as possible, and training for the Milton Keynes Marathon in 2025 helped him through his treatment.

White, founder of automotive business Autotech Group, from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, says: “Everything happened so quickly.

“I was told I had a brain tumor 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."

White was on vacation 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 tumor 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.

He says: “I ran the Milton Keynes Marathon in May 2025 and really enjoyed it, but the pinnacle is to run London.

“I’m really looking forward to it because it will be a great atmosphere and a brilliant experience.

“When I was diagnosed, everything I heard about brain tumors was doom and gloom, but now things are moving at pace.

“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 benefited from increased funding so now it’s time brain tumors received more.

“When I was diagnosed, everything I heard about brain tumors was doom and gloom, but now things are moving at pace.

“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 benefited from increased funding so now it’s time brain tumors received more.

“Being connected to Brain Tumor Research is a big part of my life now.”

On Sunday, White will take on the world-famous TCS London Marathon to boost funds even further.

Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumor Research, said: “Gavin’s determination to take on the London Marathon is truly inspiring.

“Brain tumors are indiscriminate and devastating, and stories like White’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.”