'Bachelor' Star Gets Involved In Brain Cancer Research After His Friend's Diagnosis
- Tim Robards, who appeared as the original bachelor on the Australian version of the popular reality show, is helping to raise funds for cancer research as an ambassador for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation after his friend Tom Barrett, 41, learned he had brain cancer.
- Barrett credits COVID with saving his life after the headaches he experienced following his vaccination led to him getting an MRI that uncovered the tumor. He had already undergone surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy to fight the disease.
- Malignant brain tumors are cancerous growths that spread fast and are often fatal, which is why Tom Barrett and his medical team acted quickly in removing the growth and starting his chemotherapy treatment.
Tim Robards, who appeared as the original bachelor on the Australian version of the popular reality show, is now helping to raise funds for cancer research as an ambassador for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
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It got so bad that he went to see his doctor, who ordered an MRI after hearing his symptoms. That revealed a tumor growing on the right side of Barrett’s brain that, after further testing, his doctor determined to be malignant.
As he explained in his video with Robards, Barrett does not think the vaccination had anything to do with the tumor.
“Ultimately, ironically, COVID saved my life,” said Barrett. “Getting a Covid vaccine led to some severe headaches. Those headaches for me were something a bit abnormal, so I went and got them investigated, and they found a brain tumor.”
Unlike his mate, Barrett is not looking to be much in the spotlight, though, as he made clear in a video he later posted on his own Facebook page.
“I’m gonna be sharing some personal information, which is not something I typically do on social media, and if you follow any of my accounts, but there is a limit to how much I am willing to share, so don’t go contacting me expecting me to share all the gory details of things,” announced Barret before revealing his brain cancer battle.
Barrett also made a point of noting that cancer does not discriminate, noting that his diagnosis came at a time when he was in peak physical condition.
“Everyone who has seen me always says, ‘You look so fit and healthy and strong’ – it doesn’t pick for specific individuals. This can happen,” stressed Barrett.
He then added that he is ready for the challenge.
“Is it tough? Yes. Is it going to change how I approach some things? More than likely,” explained Barrett. “But at the same time, I am not someone who has ever given up on anything easily, and I will continue to fight this the best way that I can.”
Barrett has already undergone surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy in hopes that it will kill any lingering cancer cells. However, it is unclear if he has metastatic cancer.
And despite being in the middle of his chemotherapy treatment plan, he and Robards have both agreed to participate in the Burpees 4 Brain Cancer initiative.
The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation fundraiser pays tribute to the 1500 people who lose their lives to brain cancer in Australia each year by asking participants to do 1500 burpees during November, which breaks down to roughly 50 burpees a day.
Robards said that his friend’s diagnosis also came as a wake-up call because of Barrett’s healthy lifestyle while revealing how devastating it could be if he did not beat the disease.
“I mean, he has a five-year-old child. He’s just over 40,” noted Robards. “You never know what life is going to serve you, so you’ve got to bloody live it.”
Barrett, meanwhile, is taking a positive attitude and outlook with him as he navigates his way through his cancer journey.
“This is not me signing off in any way, shape, or form. I’m gonna get on top of this and control this the best way that I can and keep doing what I can do as a health professional and helping others,” he said in his Facebook video.
He also explained that he is making a point to enjoy his time with his son and his friends.
Barrett then issued a call out to those friends, hoping they might be able to help. It seems that despite being an exercise physiologist, Barrett is a bit averse to burpees.
“If you’d like to join me for some burpees, please do so. Please. Reach out to do that,” Barrett pleaded at the end of his video. “Because people who like me know I am not a fan of them. And if I’ve got someone there to join me, it would be a massive help.”
What Is A Malignant Brain Tumor?
Malignant brain tumors are cancerous growths that spread fast and are often fatal, which is why Tom Barrett and his medical team acted quickly in removing the growth and starting his chemotherapy treatment.
If undetected, the cancer could quickly spread through the brain and then move into the spinal cord.
A malignant brain tumor is a secondary cancer in most cases, though that is not the case with Barrett. His cancer started in the brain, so it is a primary brain tumor.
Malignant brain tumors are difficult to treat, though there are some instances when a surgeon can surgically remove the tumor.
Survival rates for malignant brain tumors are among the lowest, but most individuals who survive five years make it to the ten-year mark. Overall, 40 percent of people live at least one year, 19 percent make it to five years, and 14 percent survive ten years after their diagnosis.
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Signs And Symptoms of Malignant Brain Tumor
The signs and symptoms of a malignant brain tumor can vary significantly based on the cancer’s size, spread, and location.
As a result, some individuals will not feel any symptoms for some time, while others will start to show symptoms almost immediately after the cancer starts to grow.
Common symptoms include:
- intense and frequent headaches
- intense pressure similar to a sinus infection
- seizures
- body tremors
- nausea
- fatigue
- sudden changes in behavior
- shifts in personality
- shot-term memory loss
- weakness of the legs and/or arms in one side of the body
- blurred vision
- difficulty speaking and remembering words
Individuals who experience multiple symptoms for an extended period should schedule an appointment with their doctor.
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