28 Sep 2026
A London Colney dad and grandad diagnosed with terminal brain cancer is hoping to spend what time he has left making memories with his family.
Adem Ahmet, who has lived in the village for 14 years, initially set up a GoFundMe account to provide some financial support while fighting the disease, hoping that after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he would eventually be able to get back to some sort of normality and return to work.
But now he has been told that he cannot return to the job he loved, having spent 30 years working in retail, first at Tesco and then more recently in Sainsbury’s at Colney Fields and St Albans.
Although his treatment is helping to control the cancer, it has also left him living with severe fatigue, seizures, weakness, anxiety and other long-term side effects.
“Work was a huge part of who I was,” he said. “Accepting that I cannot safely return has been one of the hardest things I have faced outside the cancer itself.”
Adem has glioblastoma, an aggressive grade 4 brain cancer. It is treatable, but it is not curable, and is expected to return at some point.
Glioblastoma does not normally grow as one completely contained lump. Although surgeons may successfully remove all of the tumour that can safely be seen, microscopic glioblastoma cells can infiltrate surrounding brain tissue.
It is generally impossible to surgically remove every infiltrating cell without potentially damaging healthy and functioning areas of the brain.
Surgery is therefore followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These treatments attempt to destroy or suppress the remaining tumour cells and delay recurrence, but there is a very high risk that this will happen eventually.
Avid Spurs fan Adem, who has 11 grandchildren, said: “I have been given a prognosis of approximately three to five years, although nobody can say exactly what will happen or when.
“I will need lifelong scans, monitoring and further treatment whenever it is needed.
“I am not giving up. I will continue fighting, researching new treatments and clinical trials, asking questions and making sure my name is known if an opportunity becomes available.
“I am also researching possible treatments abroad, including options that are not currently available or funded through the NHS. These treatments, specialist consultations and the travel involved could cost a significant amount of money, but if there is something that could give me more time with my family, I want to be in a position to explore it.”
Tackling the financial strain of his illness was also difficult, as he never wanted to ask for help, but eventually the toll became too much and he reluctantly set up a fundraising account.
“Donations help with household bills and everyday living costs, allow me to make precious memories with Linda, my children and grandchildren, and could also help towards the cost of accessing treatment abroad if a suitable option becomes available.
“I want to thank every single person who has already donated, shared my page, sent a message or supported me and my family. Your kindness has meant more than I can ever properly put into words.
“If you can donate, even a small amount would genuinely help our family. If you are unable to donate, please share this page—one share could help it reach somebody new.
“Thank you for standing beside us through the hardest chapter of our lives. I will never forget it.”
Adem is already more than halfway towards his target of £5,000, a sum which will ease some of the pressures faced by his family while he continues treatment. If you would like to donate, click here.
