Ollie Knight was diagnosed with a brain tumor after experiencing severe dizziness. (Brain Tumour Research via SWNS)
By Bre Dite
A man who thought he was suffering from “lockdown anxiety” was shocked to learn his “vision loss and dizziness” was actually a satsuma-sized brain tumor.
Ollie Knight, 29, began suffering from vision problems and episodes of dizziness in September 2020 that left him “struggling to read.”
He was unable to read “small prints” and the back of shampoo bottles, but eventually went to the GP a few months later when the fitness fanatic was “forced to sit” during a run after feeling “giddy.”
Concerned, Ollie was referred for cognitive behavioural therapy where doctors said it was likely “anxiety” from the impact of lockdown.
But it wasn’t until April 2021 when he suffered a “suspected stroke” he was rushed to Luton and Dunstable Hospital where a CT scan revealed a mass the size of a satsuma on Ollie’s brain.
He was transferred to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, London for a craniotomy – the removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain – and was later diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma – a type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord.
Ollie, started a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy immediately – and “lost” his independence.
Ollie Knight in the hospital. (Brain Tumour Research via SWNS)
By Talker
Since the devastating diagnosis, Ollie has suffered from multiple seizures and even lost his driving licence which he later regained.
But determined to not give up, he is now on anti-seizure medication and is due to get married to partner, Laura, 29, a data analyst in June, 2026.
His mom, Heidi Knight, 57, a translation project manager from St Albans, Gloucestershire said: “Ollie has always been sport and determined.
“So when we received the diagnosis of grade 2 astrocytoma, it was devastating.
“There was a time when I truly believed I might lose my son either on the operating table or to a life severely limited by damage.
“Instead, his story has become one of resilience and hope.”
Ollie was 24, working as a consultant in London when he began experiencing subtle but worrying symptoms – including vision problems and dizziness.
It left him “unable to read” but being fit and active he dismissed the signs as stress until he almost collapsed on a run and went to his GP.
“Ollie has always been driven, sporty and determined,” Heidi said.
“So when he mentioned feeling giddy on a run one day and had to sit down, he didn’t think much of it.
“A runner passing by even stopped to check he was okay.
“Ollie laughed it off and carried on, but looking back, that was the first red flag.”
(Brain Tumour Research via SWNS)
By Talker
She added: “He started saying his vision would ‘go funny’ sometimes and he convinced himself it was exhaustion.
“But then COVID hit and it got worse.”
Doctors initially told Ollie he was suffering from “lockdown anxiety.”
But it wasn’t until he had a “suspected stroke” in April 2021 that a CT scan at Luton and Dunstable Hospital revealed a brain tumor.
Ollie was later transferred to National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, where he underwent a six-hour awake craniotomy.
Surgeons successfully removed 80 per cent of the tumor but three days later he suffered from a full tonic-clonic seizure and was later diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma – a cancerous brain tumor with a poor prognosis, where 45 per cent of those live for five years or longer.
Ollie started on anti-seizure medication – as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy straight away – and he gradually lost his independence.
Heidi said: “I got a phone call from his fiancé and she was in an ambulance with Ollie.
“Doctors thought he might be having a stroke.
“But brain tumors are cruel like that, the symptoms are often so ordinary. It was devastating.
“Because of COVID, me and my husband [Roger] couldn’t even sit with him the night before. So instead, we chatted on Zoom.”
She added: “Ollie went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“He lost some of his hair, which was hard for someone so young and active but he handled it with quiet strength.
“Ollie did not let the tumor define him.”
Ollie Knight’s brain scans. (Brain Tumour Research via SWNS)
By Talker
Since his diagnosis, Ollie has had multiple seizures but he has went on to complete a master’s degree in Sports Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire and achieved the highest grade.
Today, he is working for English Heritage as a Business Intelligence Executive and is now seizure-free, preparing to marry his fiancée, Laura, in June, this year.
In honor of her son, Heidi is stepping out to walk 13.1 miles at the Bath Ultra Challenge to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research on Saturday, March 28.
It forms part of a national effort to shine a spotlight on a devastating disease that affects thousands of families across the UK.
“Ollie is still living with a brain tumor, but it has not stopped him living a full, meaningful life, “Heidi said.
“I’m walking the Ultra challenge around Bath.
“I’ve previously walked 50k with Ollie and Laura and together we raised £2,000, but this challenge feels different; I am doing this on my own.
“It’s about giving back, raising awareness and funding research so outcomes improve.”
Letty Greenfield, Community Fundraising Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Heidi for taking on the Bath Ultra Challenge during Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
“Stories like Ollie’s remind us why our work is so vital. Brain tumors remain underfunded compared to other cancers, yet they devastate so many families.
“Supporters like Heidi are helping us to give hope to everyone affected by this disease.”
