The charity was formed on the 15th July 2021 in memory of Daniel Caplan from Newton Mearns, Glasgow. Daniel was in S5 at school. He was a popular boy who loved music, football and having fun with his friends. He was planning on going to university to study International Business. In May 2020, aged 16, Daniel began to complain of headaches and his family also noticed he was walking with a very slight limp. He was immediately taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour called DMG/DIPG (Diffuse midline glioma). This is a terminal brainstem tumour mostly affecting children. Daniel and his family were devastated and shocked to discover there was no treatment plan for his tumour. They managed to secure experimental drugs from Germany and the United States for Daniel. They also arranged for Daniel to be part of a clinical trial for DIPG and Daniel’s school, Hutchesons’ Grammar School, put on a concert to raise money but his cancer progressed so quickly he wasn’t able to take part.
Daniel died on 30th November 2020, 7 months after diagnosis.
During his illness Daniel was the bravest boy. He never complained once and was more interested in how his family and friends were feeling. He was given a special gift during his illness of a designer hoodie. He was so moved by this he felt he would like to raise money for children dealing with a cancer diagnosis when he recovered. He always hoped he would get better but understood the odds were against it. He also wanted to raise money for brain tumour research, particularly for his type of tumour. He wanted to give others the chance of treatment that he didn’t have. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer and yet only 1% of the national cancer spend is on brain tumour research.
Daniel wanted to change this and give hope to others diagnosed with this devastating cancer.
