Elderslie musician to release charity single in memory of his brother

Andrew Wright is hoping raise vital funds for The Brain Tumour Charity to honour his brother Calum, who died last summer at the age of 31.

Calum passed away six years after his diagnosis with a brain tumour and is much missed by his family and friends.

Andrew told The Gazette: "Calum was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oligoastrocytoma brain tumour in January 2015, when he was just 24.

"It was a shock as he'd had no prior symptoms. His diagnosis came following seizures that occurred while he was working as a flight attendant."

Calum underwent surgery to remove the tumour shortly after his diagnosis, but it came back a year later, this time at Grade 3. In December 2019, it recurred for a third time. 

At this point it was deemed inoperable, and Calum's treatment revolved around limiting tumour growth, and extending his life as long as possible. 

Andrew said: "As a family we are so grateful to have had six years with Calum after his diagnosis, although it was obviously a tough time. The reality of reoccurrence always at the back of our minds; it was always going to happen, we just didn’t know when.

Calum Wright

"Everyone who knew Calum knows how inspiring a person he was, long before his cancer diagnosis. He always wanted to make the most of life, living and working abroad, and travelling to meet with family and friends all over Europe, something he was determined to continue to do in the six-and-a-half years post-diagnosis, until the pandemic got in the way. 

"This allowed us to make so many special memories which we’re now able to cherish."

Andrew's self-penned single One Eleven features vocals from one of Calum's closest friends, Jenny, who raised £4,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity by running a half marathon last April.

The song will be available to stream on most major platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music, from Friday, July 22.

Andrew said: "One Eleven reflects on how it feels to lose a loved one, hoping to see a sign that they’re still with you, and I hope that it resonates with those who have been through a similar situation.

"Music was such an important part of our lives growing up and I have so many happy memories of singing and performing with Calum, so this seemed like an appropriate tribute to him, which will hopefully raise funds and awareness.

"Calum played keyboard and trombone, but his main talent was singing and performing. He would often sing harmony whenever we sang together, and added backing vocals to a couple of my early attempts at songwriting."

The money raised by Andrew's single will be used to help raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis, as well as fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options.

Andrew performing

Evie Wragg, community fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: "We are extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our fantastic fundraisers and wish them all the very best. 

"Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

"We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work.

"It’s through the amazing efforts of people like Andrew that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year."

Andrew added: "Calum wasn't shy in sharing his story to help others. Had circumstances been different, he would have liked his brain to have been donated for research.

"Therefore, I want to continue his legacy and help raise money to fund vital research. There were many targeted treatment options undergoing clinical trial around the time of Calum's passing. Unfortunately none matched the pathology of his tumour. It would be wonderful to think that further research could widen the scope of these treatments so people like Calum are able to access them, perhaps even leading to a cure.

"We as a family are very grateful that Calum got six-and-a-half years after diagnosis as this allowed us to spend quality time together and for Calum to continue to make the most of what life still had to offer. We’re also aware that not everyone gets this time, so anything that can help extend the lives of people with brain tumours - by raising awareness of early signs and symptoms - is something we’re very supportive of."

To make a donation to Andrew’s Just Giving Page, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/andrewwright-93.