Brett Harman, a 35-year-old father from Spalding, South Lincolnshire, has endured a heartbreaking double encounter with cancer, surviving his own battle only to later lose his fiancée to the disease.
From the Classroom to Chemotherapy
Brett's life changed dramatically in 2015 when, at the age of 27, he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Persistent back pain and infections led to the diagnosis, forcing the former teacher to begin aggressive chemotherapy immediately. Within four months he was in remission, a status that has held ever since. He describes the initial shock as a "big hit" to his life and future outlook.
After recovering, Brett rebuilt his life with his teenage sweetheart, Hannah Stinson. The couple, who first met working at Domino's Pizza, were delighted to discover Hannah was pregnant in 2021. However, joy turned to fear when she discovered a lump on her leg during the pregnancy.
A Devastating Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Scans revealed Hannah had BCOR sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. The primary concern was safely delivering their baby while managing Hannah's treatment. Thanks to specialist medical care, their daughter, Summer, was born healthy a few weeks premature in December 2021.
Hannah, a nurse, bravely underwent treatment and achieved remission. The family began planning their wedding and a house move for summer 2024. Tragically, in 2024, Hannah fell ill with severe abdominal pain. Tests confirmed the cancer had returned aggressively. Doctors explained the focus was on prolonging her life, not curing her.
Hannah passed away from complications and sepsis on October 31, 2024, aged 29, just two weeks before her 30th birthday. Brett recalls her incredible bravery, stating she never once complained about her pain or treatment.
A Promise to His Daughter and a New Perspective
Hannah's last words to Brett before being placed on a ventilator were to "look after our little girl." He is now a single father to four-year-old Summer, a role he embraces with determination. He says the experience has made him grow in character and he focuses on giving his daughter the best life possible.
Brett has found professional solace in voice acting and running an escape room company, careers he pursued after leaving teaching during the Covid pandemic. He has amassed over 174,000 followers on TikTok as Brettflix, discussing film and television.
He recently narrated an audiobook, 'The Adventure of the Silent Hiss', for the Part of the Story campaign, which uses Sherlock Holmes to challenge the idea that cancer defines a person. Brett, who voices both Holmes and Dr Watson, strongly resonates with the message. He wants to de-stigmatise the word 'cancer' for his daughter's generation, emphasising it is not always the end.
Reflecting on his own leukaemia, Brett now calls it the "best bad thing" to happen to him, as it built the resilience he needed to face Hannah's illness and his grief. For Brett, cancer is a chapter, but it is only ever 'part of the story' of a person's rich and complex life.
