Dad 'heartbroken' he'll miss daughter grow up after being given just months to live

Dad 'heartbroken' he'll miss daughter grow up after being given just months to live Craig Dunn, 35, from South Shields, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour last year and underwent major surgery to remove it. He was then given the devastating news that the cancer had returned and spread to his spine A first-time father has been left devastated knowing he won't see his daughter growing up after doctors told him he has just months remaining. Craig Dunn felt his life was finally returning to normal after an operation to remove a brain tumour last year. The 35-year-old, from South Shields, was set to marry his fiancée Nabela in December and had been organising their "dream wedding" at The Croft in Darlington, which they've now been forced to call off. The dad was also cherishing every moment as father to three-year-old Serena. However, after a standard scan this May, he was blindsided by the devastating revelation the tumour had returned and cancer had now reached his spine. Despite showing no warning signs, doctors have told him he has up to 12 months to live. Craig said: "It's been awful. Mentally, it's probably the worst news anybody could ever receive. It's just hard to overcome it and I'm trying my best for my daughter. But it's tough, especially when you're not expecting it at all." The dad was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumour, in May 2025 after enduring severe headaches for roughly a fortnight. He went through major brain surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and prospects looked encouraging when he entered remission, reports Chronicle Live. Craig, who had routine appointments every few months, said: "In September, I was told 'Brilliant Craig, everything's going really well'. Then in January, 'everything's going really well'. So I had it in my mind that [it was going to be no different], especially with the way I was feeling and with no symptoms whatsoever. Last year I had headaches so I knew what I was looking out for, whereas this year I didn't." He went on to say: "I had zero symptoms. I was finally getting my life back on track and I felt really good. Then I get called into a meeting to say that they've found another tumour, another Medulloblastoma. Over the last couple of weeks, my life has been tipped upside down. "They've done another operation and I've had a few symptoms from that, I wasn't feeling too good. They've done a thorough check on the actual tumour and due to how quick it's come back, it's now classed as very aggressive. They've now said I basically have months to a year left to live." Craig, from Sunderland, is now determined to make every moment count. He has rescheduled his wedding and will tie the knot with Nabela at the local registry office on July 10. He is also striving to create as many cherished memories as possible for his daughter to treasure as she grows older. Craig said: "I think what hurts me the most is the fact that she's going to grow up and she's not going to remember me. And if she does remember me, it's just going to be through pictures, videos, and stuff like that. I don't have the chance to actually have a full conversation with her yet because she's not at that stage, which is heartbreaking, it's awful. She doesn't know anything that's going on." He added: "I want to do a 'dear dad's' diary for her. I want to do each and every one of her birthdays. I want to do videos for her, but I want to get her involved in the video, so when she does look back in like five, six, seven, eight years time, she can see herself involved in daddy's videos. I want to get her birthday cards. I just want to get as many memories as I possibly can and create it with her." Alongside capturing precious moments for Serena to treasure in years to come, a GoFundMe page has been launched to help Craig and his family. Craig revealed that following a Sepsis diagnosis in 2018, which required emergency life-saving surgery, he was unable to secure life insurance. Within just three days of the fundraiser going live, it has already raised more than £68,000. The family is also appealing for anyone with information or guidance on clinical treatment for Medulloblastoma in adults, whether in the UK or overseas, as he is determined to stay alive for his little girl. He stressed that while this type of cancer is more frequently seen in young children, it is exceptionally rare in adults, which means there is minimal research and few treatment options currently available. For more information and to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.