Cannich dad in 'race against time' for life-extending brain cancer treatment

A Highland dad and his family are in a "race against time" to try and fight off a deadly brain tumour.

Michael Jepson, from Cannich, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer which is currently incurable.

Since April 2025, Michael has had two surgeries and multiple rounds of different chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Sadly, a regrowth with Michael's tumour was confirmed last month.

The 56-year-old and his wife Lisa are still actively pursuing options in the UK, but firmly believe treatment in Germany is the best way forward for extending his life for as long as possible.

The family are continuing to fundraise to pay for the Dendritic Cell Therapy (DCT) treatment, a type of immunotherapy, and need another £6000 before they can proceed with that option.

Michael 's wife Lisa is also keen to raise more awareness on glioblastoma, with the hope of finding alternative treatments and helping others in the same position.

He was diagnosed with the brain cancer after a large cyst was found and treated.

Earlier this year, Michael underwent private treatment in London following an intense eight-hour operation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The op in England was a success, but sadly a recurrence has been identified which has heightened the family's wishes for DCT.

His wife Lisa, said: "We're really pushing for Germany now because sadly I feel that another round of chemo isn't the way forward. 

"It's a bit of a race against time just to get that first step done and get moving. 

"Michael is a fighter and he has shown that the whole way through.

"I don't know many people who can go through what he has gone through in the last year and a half and still be smiling and never complain."

Despite the severity of Michael's condition, he maintains an inspiringly upbeat attitude and approach to tackling his disease.

He explained how apart from one spell halfway through his battle with brain cancer, he has felt well.

Michael said: "I've been alright.

"It's just that couple of times during that halfway point, that's the only time it has got me.

"We're a family and that's how we remain.

"We look after each other, we love each other, that's all that matters."

According to Brain Tumour Research, around 3,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year in the UK.

They also say the average survival time for someone diagnosed with the cancer is 12-18 months.

Despite this, no new treatments for glioblastoma have been approved in this country for more than 20 years.

It's thought the DCT treatment will help extend Michael's life by 13 months.

However, Lisa hopes this will give them more time to find a more permanent solution and other types of treatment.

She added: "We just take every day as it comes. 

"Who really knows how long they have, I don't think about the prognosis with Michael. 

"Michael is not a statistic, he's not a number. 

"We have come on so far with other cancers, such as pancreatic and breast cancer.

"Where is the time that needs to be going into brain tumours, into this type of cancer?"