Deepa's incredible charity campaign for Brain Tumour Research in memory of dad

He underwent months of gruelling treatments, before lapsing into a coma the day after his 68th birthday. He passed away six days later, in 2014, just seven months after his diagnosis. 

His daughter, Deepa Jivan, is now honouring his memory by creating and supplying exclusive hats, at cost, for Hobbycraft stores around the country, with a percentage of the retailer’s profits going to the charity Brain Tumour Research. 

The initiative is part of the charity’s Wear A Hat Day campaign, which falls on Friday 31 March this year.

The craft retailer will also be putting on free “hat-blinging” workshops in-store across the UK, between 12-3pm every Saturday in March.

“Papa was always happy and smiling,” remembers Deepa. “He was by far the healthiest person in our family, always declaring: “I’m going to live until I’m 86!””

A family friend first spotted the early symptoms, noticing the odd way that Mahendra picked up his cup of tea.

 “He later told us he was praying he was wrong, but instantly knew something was not right,” says Deepa.

After tests, Mahendra was initially diagnosed with a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma. 

The tumour was diffuse and difficult to identify so they started his treatment following the usual plan for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a particularly aggressive form of the disease.

“Both Papa’s nephew, and one of our old family friends, had died from secondary brain tumours when they were in their forties,” explains Deepa.

“We clung to the hope that he would be okay but his health deteriorated immediately. The tumour was inoperable and his oncologists recommended both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It was a horrible experience, but there are so few options for treatment.”

Deepa continues: “Everything happened so fast. Papa’s speech deteriorated, as did his ability to walk. 

"He was exhausted and, although he wanted to do so much, he had to stay in bed and sleep. It was so hard to see his energy and enthusiasm ebb away. During his illness, Papa would say: “I just want to have fun again”.”

Family and friends rallied around. Mahendra spent his 68th birthday in hospital, surrounded by loved ones, balloons, cards and - usually forbidden due to his treatment plan - cake. 

“He was so happy, we thought he was having a turnaround and started making plans to take him home the following week,” recalls Deepa. It was not to be. Mahendra lapsed into a coma the very next day and died a week after his 68th birthday. 

“It was so strange to think that the week before he was taking a breath to blow out some candles, while the following week he was taking his last breath of life,” Deepa says quietly.

Since losing her father, Deepa has been a passionate campaigner for Brain Tumour Research.

 Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Deepa says: “We had researched brain tumours when Papa was sick, looking for hope, and I remember coming across the statistics on the underfunding of brain tumour research and feeling quite traumatised. 

"A month after Papa passed away, I noticed that it was Wear A Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research. I thought this was so spooky as Papa was hat obsessed.”

Deepa has been supplying Hobbycraft for several years and was instrumental in pulling together her favourite client and chosen charity, ready for Wear A Hat Day 2017. 

“I was so emotional when Hobbycraft agreed,” admits Deepa. “I’m so grateful to them that we can make this difference together.”

Sue Farrington Smith MBE, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research, praised Deepa’s dedication to the cause, concluding: “Partnering with Hobbycraft on this campaign is a game-changing opportunity to raise awareness of this devastating disease. The money raised, simply by having fun with hats, will go towards sustainable research that will bring us closer to a cure for brain tumours.”

You can get involved with Wear A Hat Day by visiting www.wearahatday.org

Or text HAT to 70660 to donate £5 (Texts cost £5 plus network charge. Brain Tumour Research receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payer’s permission.) Customer care 01908 867200. Charity no. 1153487 (England & Wales) SC046840 (Scotland).