The Wanted's Tom Parker shares 'devastating' terminal illness
British boy band member Tom Parker has revealed heartbreaking news that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, an inoperable brain tumour with no cure.
The Wanted singer took to Instagram to share the news with a photo of himself, his wife Kelsey, who is currently pregnant with a son, and their daughter Aurelia Rose, one.
He wrote, "Hey guys, you know that we’ve both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it’s time to tell you why. There’s no easy way to say this but I’ve sadly been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and I’m already undergoing treatment."
"We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna 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. It’s gonna be a tough battle but with everyone’s love and support we are going to beat this."
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Speaking with OK! Magazine, Tom and Kelsey shared that they found out the singer has stage 4 glioblastoma six weeks ago.
It's the same disease that took the lives of Senator John McCain in 2018 and Beau Biden, son of US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in 2015.
The National Brain Tumour Society reveals patients with glioblastoma are unlikely to survive past two years.
They also add that the illness affects cognition, mood, behaviour and function of every organ and body part.
Tom told OK! Max George and Jay McGuinnes, two of his former bandmates, have visited the couple in the last couple of weeks, while the other two, Nathan Sykes and Siva Kaneswaran have been keeping in touch digitally.
"Obviously all the boys were as shocked as we were," he said.
"They are gutted by the news, but they've been incredibly supportive. Jay has been round to see us a few times since we got the news and is reading up on everything he can and Max was here last week.
"Siva and Nathan 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,” Tom said.
“They’ve been amazing.”
Tom and Kelsey shared that the singer had to find out about the devastating diagnosis on his own as COVID-19 restrictions prevented her from being by his side.
It came after Tom suffered a seizure in July and another six weeks later during a family holiday.
"I was in shock," he said, "It’s stage 4 glioblastoma and they’ve said it’s terminal. It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven’t processed it."
Tom is now receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment.
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