The brother of a young filmmaker who documented his battle with an aggressive brain cancer is raising funds to cover funeral costs and share his powerful story with the world.
A devastating diagnosis and a creative response
David Izekor was just 18 years old and studying for a film degree at the University of Leeds when his life changed forever in 2021. After suffering a haemorrhagic stroke, emergency surgery revealed a mass in his brain. This was diagnosed as glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and aggressive cancer with a typical life expectancy of just 12 to 18 months.
David endured two gruelling 10-hour brain surgeries and a complex regimen of medications. He faced this immense challenge without his mother initially, as she was in Italy caring for her own father, who was dying from Covid. The family suffered another colossal blow when their mother passed away in 2022.
"He was struggling a lot, adjusting to that life for the next year after his diagnosis, but then eventually, when he came to terms with everything… something changed in him," his brother John told PA Real Life. "He became very, very strong."
'One In Two': The film that gave him purpose
David channelled his experience into his art. For his final degree project, which took five years instead of three due to his illness, he created a documentary titled 'One In Two'. The film chronicled his personal journey as a teenage cancer patient and also explored the stories of others affected by glioblastoma.
"What kept him going the whole time was just that film," John explained. "He was just so enthusiastic about creating." The documentary premiered in August 2025 at the London headquarters of Working Title, the renowned production company where John works, having been inspired to join the industry by his brother.
John described the film as showing "how David is the physical embodiment of what it means to persevere. His perseverance was unmatched. He never cried or complained once."
A heartbreaking farewell and a brother's promise
In October 2025, after years of managing the cancer, David's doctors delivered the devastating news that treatment had to stop. He was moved to a hospice in Rochester, Kent, where his condition deteriorated rapidly. John recalled that his brother was the youngest person there and gradually lost his memory, his energy, his ability to eat, and finally his vision.
The brothers' last conversation was over the phone. "I told him I was going to come and see him. I said: 'Listen, I’m going to be there in two hours, OK?'" John shared. "And he said to me: 'John, I don’t think I’ll be here in two hours'."
David passed away on 12 November 2025 at the age of 23. In his final moments, while unconscious, he began humming. "I grabbed his hand, and I told him that I’m there, and after his fourth hum, he took his last breath," John said.
A fundraiser to celebrate a life and a legacy
Now, at 22 and without his mother or other family for support, John has taken on the responsibility of planning his brother's funeral. Facing the staggering costs alone, he started a GoFundMe page which has already raised nearly £9,000.
"I’ve been left in a position where I’m dealing with everything by myself, and I haven’t even got to grieve," he admitted. The generous donations have "given me something to smile about in such dark times".
Beyond covering funeral costs, John wants to organise a celebration of life where he can screen David's documentary. He hopes people will "take his life as a lesson".
"He’s someone that a lot of people can learn from," John said. "This fundraiser is really important for me to basically continue on his story, the way he wanted to live, when unfortunately he wasn’t able to do that." The fundraiser aims to ensure David Izekor's courage and creativity are remembered and honoured.
