A respected brain tumour campaigner who documented his journey through cancer while raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity has died. Tributes are being paid to Liam Bergin, who was 52.
His family spoke of a 'general heart on his sleeve good guy' who had 'tirelessly' raised funds to aid vital research. He lived his life like a 'tornado', they added.
The charity Brain Tumour Research, meanwhile, said Liam's story was 'a stark reminder of just how little is known about brain tumours, and why more research is so desperately needed'. And his death will help others live, as his family revealed he was an organ donor.
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Liam, from Bollington, Cheshire, was in otherwise good health when, out of the blue, he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour in April, 2020. The charity said he was given a prognosis of a year to 18 months. He died on Monday morning.
Brain tumours, added the charity, kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to the disease.
In a tribute Liam's family said: "Father, husband, son, brother, friend, fundraiser, campaigner, counsellor, wine merchant, caterer, and general heart on his sleeve good guy, Liam Bergin has passed away aged 52 of a brain tumour three years after his initial diagnosis.
"Since his diagnosis he has fundraised tirelessly for research into this awful disease and found a whole network of new friends and supporters on the way. So many people will miss him, so many will remember him.
"Liam's life has never been straightforward and the last five years have been particularly tough, but he has always strived to make things better, to sort things out, to find solutions. He has lived his life like a tornado for the last 52 years and will continue to help people through being a donor after his death.
"Liam's parents imbued in him the centre left values of social justice and looking after others. Sometimes he and we get that wrong but we keep trying and we always will. His children, his wife and his family will miss him desperately.
"So raise a glass of beer, or wine, or coffee or any of the beverages that he worked with over the years to Liam Bergin.
"And in the words of his beloved Billy Bragg, 'We offer up to you this tribute, we offer up to you this Tank Park Salute'."
Liam, who was married to Jen and dad to Joe, 20, Catlin, 18, and Esme, 16, raised £45,000 for Brain Tumour Research through a variety of fundraising initiatives, such as a coast-to-coast bike ride from Whitehaven to Newcastle and a 100-mile tandem ride with his son, Joe.
In March 2022, Liam and Joe visited the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London. They placed nine tiles on the Wall of Hope, dedicating them to young people who have lost their lives to brain tumours. The tiles symbolise the number of days of research sponsored. In total, Liam has sponsored over 16 days of research.
The charity said Liam was told there were no more treatment options left for him in April.
On his blog, which documented his journey with a brain tumour, Liam said: "It's been nearly three years since I was given my prognosis. I've doubled the time the doctors expected for me, and feel being healthy and active in the community has been a big part of this.
"Now been told there are no more treatment options; my tumour is growing aggressively, and any treatment will worsen my quality of life. This moment was always going to come. I've had the same consultant since surgery, and I trust her when says she fears radiotherapy will reduce physical function or even send me straight to hospital.
"Since I was diagnosed, too many young people have died of this disease, the biggest cancer killer of under 40s in the UK. Thank you all for your generous help in trying to find a cure."
Hugh Adams, Head of Stakeholder Relations for Brain Tumour Research, said: "Liam was a big part of the Brain Tumour Research family, and we're all devastated to hear he has passed away.
"He was a tireless campaigner and did so much to raise money and awareness to help tackle this devastating disease. We worked with Liam for a long time and we're so grateful for everything he has done for our cause. Liam's story is a stark reminder of just how little is known about brain tumours, and why more research is so desperately needed."
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. Visit the website here.
