Scottish athlete diagnosed with terminal cancer breaks down in tears making Andy Burnham plea

Professional swimmer Archie Goodburn has tearfully appealed to Andy Burnham for more funding for brain cancer patients, having been diagnosed with the disease himself.

Fresh off a stint at the Commonwealth Games this summer, the 25-year-old athlete appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the Rare Cancers Bill, in what became a deeply moving interview.

Goodburn was 22 when he was diagnosed with brain tumours, which have spread through his brain in such a way that they are inoperable.

He has now said that the bill will not be enough to make needed change, describing brain cancer as ‘rare, but extremely deadly’.

‘This frustrates me immensely,’ he said, detailing how the bill creates two new roles, which are part-time and spread out to cover 14 different cancers, one of which is brain cancer.

‘I do not see how 36 days a year is going to make that change for 14 different types of cancer, let alone the most deadly type of cancer,’ he said with tears in his eyes. 

The Scottish 50m breaststroke record holder appealed directly to the Prime Minister as he called for help in easing the ‘unbearable’ suffering those with brain cancer live with.

‘Andy Burnham, if you believe and want to make a change and a difference to the future of our country and our young population, please listen to us,’ Goodburn emotionally said, his hands shaking.

‘Please establish a national brain cancer lead and give us a chance to fight for our lives because the things that patients are going through out there are unbelievable and so unjust.

‘There are clinical trials around the world, in the US, in Australia, in China, that could change lives. We are not seeing them in the UK and it is unfair and unjust.

‘Please invest and make the difference. I’m on my knees begging for – not just my own life – but for those of my best friends and those that are affected and the families around the country.

‘This has to change. It’s been going on for too long and the suffering is unbearable,’ he said, apologising for his emotion and describing the Rare Cancers Bill as a ‘step in the right direction’ but not enough to make real change.

BBC Breakfast shared the clip on X, where it has been viewed by hundreds of thousands and received supportive messages from viewers, who said they had been reduced to tears by Goodburn’s plea.

Neurology hospital The Walton Centre described the swimmer as ‘inspirational’ and said they shared his passion. The Brain Tumour Charity tweeted their thanks to Goodburn for raising awareness of the need for funding.

Brain Tumour Research commented: ‘Thank you for continuing to use your voice, Archie. No one should have to fight a brain tumour knowing so little research has been done.

‘The Rare Cancers Bill is an important step, but now we need sustained investment to turn hope into better treatments and ultimately, cures.’

After finishing seventh at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, Goodburn gave an interview poolside in which he spoke of his dream for ‘a future where brain cancer isn’t the biggest killer of patients under 40’.

Metro contacted the Prime Minister’s office for comment on this story.