Ex Cambridge journalist whose children saved his life displays artwork in Haddenham

A former Cambridge journalist whose life was saved by his children is putting on an exhibition of his artwork, titled ‘The Story So Far’.

Terry Brownbill, 69, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) after his daughter Jessica demanded his GP call an ambulance when she saw he was rapidly declining after a bout of Covid.

Doctors then told him in November that his last chance for survival was to find a stem cell donor.

After that search drew a blank, his son Michael stepped forward, but as a haploid donor (a half match) the ensuing complications, called graft versus host disease, were severe and took six weeks of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy before he could return home.

Nine months later he is back from the brink, with his first solo exhibition at the Haddenham Arts Centre, opening on Tuesday (1 August) and running for the month.

Terry said: “I have the most wonderful children, both of whom saved my life. We have become much closer as a result of AML and I would suffer it all again gladly for that closeness.”

Terry developed AML when his immune system was compromised by Covid in November last year.

He said: “Jessica, who is a Cambridge nurse, saved my life when she realised that it was not long Covid I was suffering from and moved heaven and earth to ensure I was whisked into Addenbrooke’s Hospital on my 69th birthday.”

It was while he was staying with Jessica, 32, after a month of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy that he wandered in to the Haddenham and began discussing the possibility of an exhibition.

Terry said: “The majority of the works in this exhibition have never been exhibited before. They are a cross-section of my work so far. Nine months ago I thought it was the end. Now I know it’s just the beginning.

“In my work my alter ego, a young Don Quixote, looks for universal truths. My paintings ask questions, leaving you, the viewer, to contemplate and interpret them yourself.”

After putting out a media plea for a donor and discovering there was no match, Terry realised he was facing his last chance when Michael offered to help.

Michael said: “We were terrified when we heard he was so ill. It seemed to come so suddenly. I am so glad I was able to donate my stem cells and that they have completely nailed his rogue cells, hopefully permanently.”

Daughter Jessica said: “I didn’t think he would survive, but was amazingly positive, even when he had weeks of high temperature and was also fighting off C. diff and norovirus infections too.”

When he returned home this month he began organising the exhibition, with the title The Story So Far.

It is inspired by his life experience which includes stints as an international journalist and a safari guide in East Africa, where he grew up.

Visit haddenhamartscentre.org.uk for more.