Family pays tribute to ‘considerate and loving’ man who died days after rare diagnosis

A 26-year-old man died less than a week after being diagnosed with an ‘incredibly rare condition’

A mum said she believes that if her son was diagnosed with his a rare condition, “even a day earlier” he might not have died. Brendon West, 26, died on July 25, 2025, less than a week after being diagnosed with a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

A pre-inquest review hearing was held on Tuesday, June 23. The pre-inquest heard that Brendon was treated for a condition called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) before a later diagnosis of TTP.

During the hearing, Belinda West, Brendon’s mum, said that TTP was ruled out at one point. She asked: “How can you rule out a condition if you don’t test for it?”

In a tribute, Belinda described her son as a “very kind, considerate and loving man” who was an “avid” Formula One fan and also “loved” gaming. She added: “He was a massive part of my life. He was a trusting person. He trusted the medical professionals, he never questioned anything.”

Belinda explained that Brendon “actually saved my life” following a medical emergency by helping to treat her before emergency services arrived. Brendon has one brother, who misses him dearly, Belinda explained. She said Brendon “didn’t get the opportunity for marriage, and to have children”.

Brendon’s aunt Susan Selkirk explained that while Brendon was being treated in hospital, he put his faith in the experts. She said: “Mistakes happen. It is not a blaming game but things do need to change.”

Belinda continued: “Just because it is rare, doesn’t mean it will not happen again. It is a curable condition, people live with this. It is manageable. Even a day earlier and he would still be here with us.”

Senior Coroner David Heming, who held the pre-inquest review hearing, said that the case is a “complex area” and described Brendon’s diagnosis as an “incredibly rare condition”.

It was agreed by the coroner and all interested persons that a jury was not necessary. Brendon’s family, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, and Cambridge University Hospital Trust were identified as interested persons.

This hearing was a pre-inquest review, and is yet to be concluded. A future pre-inquest hearing date is due to be set. Following that hearing, a final inquest date will be decided.

A tribute by Brendon’s family on a fundraising page reads: “After many family losses, he became the glue to our family. He was everyone’s rock, one of the most selfless people you could ever meet.

“On the 23rd of July he was diagnosed with TTP (thrombocytopenic purpura) which sadly took him from us within one short week. This devastation has purely broken everyone’s hearts and has left everyone with a heavy heart.”

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust was approached for a comment.