Max went to the doctor after initially noticing some numbness in his leg
A 25-year-old man diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour has wed his partner after choosing to stop treatment. Max Vardy initially noticed numbness in his right leg in February 2024, but put it down to a minor knee injury for several months.
His severe headaches then started in May 2024, which he assumed were down to stress from his work. But after experiencing odd visual disturbances following a gym session in June, he went to get medical assistance.
A CT scan at A&E showed a lesion on the left side of his brain. After a biopsy, Max was then diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma – an aggressive and terminal brain tumour.
Tragically, he was given just 12 to 18 months to live and underwent radiotherapy alongside a year of chemotherapy. However, he has now been told that his tumour has progressed, and he can no longer speak clearly.
“The symptoms started to worsen in May, with an increase in the intensity and frequency of my headaches,” Max, a sustainability consultant from Farnham, Surrey, said. “I put these down to a change in lifestyle as work was particularly stressful around this period. I was in disbelief. I didn’t think it was anything particularly bad. I hadn’t even considered it could be cancer.”
Max made the choice to cease his medical care and marry his beloved Georgie English, 25, on August 20, 2025. Georgie, who has taken a break from her job at a quantitative hedge fund to care for Max and spend time with him, said: “We had spoken so much about getting married, and Max’s biggest wish was to see me in my wedding dress.
“As his condition began to deteriorate so quickly, I knew it was time, or we might never have the chance to marry. With three days notice, I organised the wedding.
“More than anything, I want people to be able to look back on our family tree and know that Max was a significant part of my life. Now, we will forever be together in history. It was so special to have our closest family and friends together from all over the country.
“As a family, we were all completely blown away by the generosity of our community, who helped bring us so much joy at a time when we feel so low and isolated. This love and kindness turned our wedding into a day we will treasure forever.
“I am so grateful to have had this time with Max, he is my best friend and my home.” The couple held a private service with 22 loved ones at Max’s family residence in Surrey. Max continued: “We’ve been a team since we met in the first week at the University of York.
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“For years, we spent our dates life planning, imagining all the adventures we’d embark on and mapping out the life we wanted to build together. We’d talk about everything – from the house we’d design, to the kind of people we aspired to become as we grew older side by side and I feel happy that I’ve been able to marry my best friend and partner in every sense.”
Upon learning that his tumour had advanced, leading to the possibility of further severe treatment, Max made the tough choice to prioritise quality time with loved ones.
He added: “Hearing that my tumour had spread significantly was devastating. Whilst there were treatment options, the side effects would have been punishing and dictated my life.
“My decision is about choosing to enjoy the time I have left with clarity and dignity. I’m now focused on making memories with Georgie and my family and holding on tightly to the moments we still have.”