Laura Nuttall was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the age of 18 and was given just 12 months to live. The youngster from Barrowford in Lancashire was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called glioblastoma multiforme after an eye test. In 2018 she found that she had tumors and had to leave university in London while she underwent treatment. Her family heard about a new treatment that included immunotherapy that was available in Germany, and her life changed. Despite being given just a year to live in 2018, the now-22-year-old managed to graduate and earn a 2:1 degree in politics, philosophy and economics at The University of Manchester. While she had initially started university at Kings College in London, she chose The University of Manchester in order to be closer to home.
Student Laura Nuttall has shown incredible strength by graduating from her degree at The University of Manchester after being diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
Congratulations Laura! 💜https://t.co/7QnLqjgxpa
— The University of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) July 20, 2022
Nuttall described the special moment as “pretty epic,” according to the BBC. “My doctors told me I wouldn’t be going back to university full stop. I didn’t think I’d be graduating, but here I am, finally,” she said. “In my first year, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it to graduation, never mind get a 2:1.” Her family couldn’t be more proud. “Laura was told that she had a life expectancy of around a year and wouldn’t be going back to university at all, so to see her graduate is just incredible,” her mother Nicola said. “I know how hard she’s had to work to achieve her degree alongside her chemotherapy, surgery and treatment, and this day is a real celebration of her tenacity.”
“If someone tells me I can’t do something,I prove them wrong.” Amazing @BrainTumourOrg supporter Laura Nuttall graduates after being given year to live. We’re so proud of you ⭐️ @shitscaredmum #DoingItForLaura #GBMAwarenessDay #BetterSafeThanTumour https://t.co/wyBS5LVmpQ
— Carol Dyce (@CarolDyceJourno) July 20, 2022
Nuttall plans on continuing to spread awareness regarding brain conditions and also plans to carry on raising money for brain charities. She is part of Our Brain Bank, a charity working to turn glioblastoma from terminal to treatable. According to The Mirror, Nuttall also became an ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity. Speaking of her graduation, she thanked her university for their support. “I don’t think I would have been able to achieve my degree without the help and support provided by The University of Manchester, especially the student welfare officers,” she said. “I have met very few people with such a determination to live their life to the full,” Professor Jackie Carter, who also has a child with an incurable brain tumor, according to The University Of Manchester. “Unlike most of my students who are wondering what to do with their futures, Laura quite literally doesn’t know what hers holds – but she’s getting on with it, and doing it all with a spirit that shines through her every pore when you meet her.”
In 2018, Laura Nuttall discovered she had Glioblastoma Multiforme – an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
Yesterday, she celebrated her graduation at The University of Manchester with her family. Congratulations Laura, what an achievement! pic.twitter.com/IuxjnkMU4g
— The University of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) July 19, 2022
Cover Image Source: Source: Twitter | OfficialUoM
