Scott Hinch never imagined that his headaches and nosebleeds were anything serious. As a dedicated weightlifter, he assumed they were just side effects of his rigorous training. But in 2019, a sudden seizure revealed the terrifying truth: a grade 2 astrocytoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Doctors gave him just 3 to 5 years to live.
The diagnosis came as a shock. Scott had always been healthy, with no prior medical issues. Yet, looking back, he recognizes the subtle warnings he ignored. “I thought it was just stress or not drinking enough water,” he says. By the time the tumor was discovered, it was already advanced.
Emergency surgery and months of treatment followed, offering temporary relief. But the cancer returned in 2023, forcing Scott into another brutal cycle of chemotherapy. Now, his life revolves around medical appointments and managing debilitating fatigue. His mother, Fiona, has stepped in as his full-time caretaker, witnessing firsthand the toll of his illness.
Determined to make a difference, Fiona and her sister are raising money for brain tumor research. “No family should go through this,” she says. Scott, meanwhile, focuses on staying positive. “I take it one month at a time,” he says. “But I’m still here—and that’s what matters.”
