PORTRAIT
Dave
Turning strength into support for others
diagnosis
country
United Kingdom
age at diagnosis
33
diagnosed in
2014
center
Clatterbridge Cancer Center
THEMES
"I’ve never been average at anything, so I won't be an 'average' statistic now."
The Wirral, UK, 2014. Long before cancer entered his life, Dave Bolton had already faced extraordinary challenges. A former RAF military policeman who served in Iraq, a Detective Sergeant with Merseyside Police and a kickboxing world champion, Dave built his life around service, discipline and commitment. In 2004, Dave experienced a life-changing motorcycle accident. A 20-ton truck crushed him, and doctors believed he would never walk again. After 14 months of rehabilitation, he gradually regained his strength and returned to active police duty. That experience shaped his mindset: step by step, progress is always possible. A few years later, at age 33, Dave had a severe 15-minute seizure at home. Soon after, doctors identified a brain tumor the size of a tennis ball, which he lightheartedly named “Terry” (Grade 2 astrocytoma, 2014).
After getting this prognosis, I slipped into one of the darkest places I’ve ever been.
Kilimanjaro: summiting "against all odds" expedition
Ahead of the game foundation team
A dark turn
In July 2015, a routine scan brought difficult news. The tumor had returned and developed into a more aggressive form, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Grade 4. This is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, often called "the Terminator". Doctors were very clear about the outlook:
Without treatment: 3 months to live
With treatment: 6 to 8 months to live
Dave was lying on his couch for two weeks, waiting for the end. With the support of his wife Samantha, one small moment made a difference: Dave went for a run. That run helped him reconnect with his energy and sense of direction.
A Thoughtful, Holistic Approach
Dave approached his treatment with the tactical precision of a police operation and the discipline of a world athlete. Alongside standard therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he explored complementary ways to support his overall well-being. He adopted a ketogenic diet as part of clinical research, aiming to better understand how nutrition might play a role. He also incorporated practices such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cold water immersion and targeted supplementation to support his body. Equally important was his mental well-being. Through mindfulness and meditation, he found tools to navigate the emotional ups and downs of treatment, including the stress of regular scans.
“After getting their prognosis, I slipped into one of the darkest places I’ve ever been.”
From Personal Journey to Shared Support
By 2022, only small signs of the disease remained visible. While each journey is unique, this outcome placed Dave among a small group of long-term survivors of glioblastoma, placing him in the top 1% of GBM survivors.
Over time, his focus expanded beyond his own experience, with a growing desire to support others facing similar challenges. He co-founded the Ahead of the Game Foundation. Their goal is simple: create a welcoming space where people affected by cancer can access rehabilitation, movement and mental health support. Their center in New Brighton offers activities like yoga and Pilates in a supportive environment. In 2024, this work received national recognition through a National Lottery Award.
A New Perspective
Today, more than ten years after his diagnosis, Dave continues to live an active life, and has even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He describes his cancer as a “sleeping giant”, something he lives with, but no longer defines him.
Even in uncertain moments, it is possible to find new balance and purpose, and turn that journey into something meaningful for others.
