A Leeds barber at a popular city salon is battling a "horror" brain tumour.
Brian B, known as Barber B runs Piranaha Hair Studio in North Street Leeds and has been a barber in the city for almost 30 years. Over time, his barber shop has become very popular, and Leeds-born boxer Nicola Adams is one of his customers.
But in July, 2021 the speaker and educator for Amsterdam Barber Society was diagnosed with a terminal cancerous brain tumour MGMT methylated glioma branded "The Terminator", and faced an "incredibly hard journey" since. Following the diagnosis his health "seemed to get worse", and he was unable to go into work everyday, his friend said.
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Brian, known as 'Master Barber', receives treatment a Leeds General Infirmary and has also had support from Yorkshire's Brain Tumour Charity. After finding out his diagnosis, the barber began researching to find and gather as much information about his health condition as possible.
He spent much of his time during lockdown in hospital and was not allowed visitors after battling coronavirus on top of his tumour. But, he went "down a rabbit hole" and all he found was "bad news, horror stories, and very little hope."
His friend Lorenzo Newell, speaking on his behalf said: "Brian is a fighter. Since he had his craniotomy surgery and the subsequent radio- and chemotherapy which have taken a huge toll on him both mentally and physically, he’s healing slowly and the progress is extremely good at the moment.
'He has tried to protect his family‘s feelings from just how much everything has affected him'
"It has been an incredibly hard journey so far, not only for himself but also his family who have helped him through his darkest moments." Lorenzo explained that Brian, who is a dad-of-six to Sabrina, Nyla, Alahna, Chirel , Laimar and Niomi, has kept a lot of his emotions to himself and tried not to scare his family.
He added: "He has done his best to try and protect his family‘s feelings from just how much everything has affected him but he fears that this may have caused more harm than good and for this he is truly sorry.
"He admits that he has made many errors in judgement, whilst trying to protect his family, children and friends from the thoughts and feelings of how he was dealing with this extraordinary set of circumstances that were thrust upon him."
Looking towards a positive future
Recently Brian has been putting his energy into exercise. He began conducting some hike training in the Peak District with friend Leon Williams, and accompanied by his sister Cheryl for support.
As part of his ongoing rehabilitation and training for future fundraising events BarberB , his son Laimar and sister Cheryl did a 10K hike in the Lake District today starting at Buttermere and finishing at Red Pyke with the Peakystompers walking group lead by Leon Williams.
What's more he now, with the help from his eldest son, has begun a hollistic lifestyle and also uses CPD oil to help his pain. The Leeds dad is also keen to be part of medical trials which could help him get better.
He has been working with a company called My Tomorrow which take down a patient's medical data and match them with trials all over the world which could be suitable for them. Lonrenzo added: "He believes and hopes that by sharing his journey of fighting to survive against all the odds and medical statistics by outliving his terminal diagnosis as long as possible as well as raising awareness about it that it will hopefully inspire others to let them know that there is another way.
"There is another option but most of all that there is hope. People could potentially see his story as a sad story but Brian decided that this particular story isn’t because it can’t be. If it was a sad story he wouldn't be here, alive.
"It's what he chooses to do with that time that is the most important thing and all he knows is that he wants to put this time to good use."
Help for Brian's future
Brian's friend Lorenzo has no started a Go Fund Me Page to try and raise £100,000 to help the barber get the treatment he needs, and also help fund his life while he is not able to work. Lorenzo said: "I want to help raise funds that will go towards the growing cost of living he now has, as well as the cost of potential future clinical trials, alternative therapies, travel costs and times in the future that he will need to heal and reflect.
"I never imagined that I would be creating a page like this for any of my friends but we need your help. To help earn your potential support over the coming days, months and years alongside any donations that are made via this page we will be working to create events to raise money for the BarberB Brain Train."
To donate to the Go Fund Me Page for Brian click here.
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