Brain Tumour Research

Brain tumour patients and their loved ones are working with us to shine a spotlight on glioblastoma multiforme this GBM Awareness Week and to encourage people to donate to help fund the fight.

We’re sharing the stories of GBM patients who are living with a devastating prognosis. They include 24-year-old Joshua Cullen who was diagnosed on Christmas Eve last year; Huw McCandless, a GP who is determined to stay positive; and Catherine Heald who was diagnosed after suffering for months with headaches.

Loved ones who have lost someone to the disease are also helping to highlight the devastation it causes. Ally Murray lost her husband Jim on Boxing Day 2020; Katie Wallace, pictured with her husband Duncan who died in April and their two children; and dad-of-two Nick Harris who lost his wife Helen last year.

Long-term survivor Richard Preston is also sharing his story of hope. He has defied the odds to survive for eight years with the disease.

To read their stories, please visit our GBM Awareness Week webpage https://www.braintumourresearch.org/info-support/raising-awareness-of-GBM

Please also donate to support our work and help us get closer to our vision of finding a cure for GBM and for all types of brain tumours.

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Brain tumour patients and those who have lost a loved one to the disease are starring in our hard-hitting campaign Stop the Devastation which launches today.

They are sharing their stories to raise awareness of brain tumours, expose the history of underfunding for research into the disease, and encouraging people to donate to help find a cure.

You can watch a short film about the campaign and read their stories on our Stop the Devastation webpage here.

The patients, families and friends are helping to highlight the fact that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Despite this, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. And, tragically, 88% of those diagnosed die within five years.

The campaign lays bare the powerful and painful truth about brain tumours – they are indiscriminate, they can affect anyone at any age, there is no cure and for many, sadly, there is little or no hope.

You can help us reach more people by taking part in our #NoMore social media campaign.

It’s so easy to join in. Simply share a selfie of your “stop hand”, donate £5 and tag five friends to do the same.

Text NOMORE to 70085 to donate £5.

Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you'd like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text NOMORENOINFO to 70085.

Today marks the 20^th anniversary of the loss of Alison Phelan, the beloved niece of Brain Tumour Research Chief Executive Sue Farrington Smith MBE.

Ali had been diagnosed with a brain stem glioma in August 2000 and her family was shocked and horrified to discover how little funding went into research into brain tumours despite it being the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. Determined to help others, they set up the charity Ali’s Dream.

Their charity was instrumental in establishing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours and led the coming together of brain tumour charities to launch Brain Tumour Research.

Ali’s Dream has raised more than £1 million to fund vital research into childhood brain tumours. Between 2002 and 2009, they supported 10 research projects at UK universities and in 2010, in collaboration with Charlie’s Challenge and Brain Tumour Research, they established the first Brain Tumour Research Centre within the University of Portsmouth, specifically supporting research at the Alison Phelan Memorial Lab.

Sue said: “The strength that my sister Julie and her husband Gary showed so soon after losing Ali and their determination to find a cure will always inspire me.

“Twenty years on and the fate of children and adults diagnosed with these tumours has not improved. The five-year survival rate is just 12% compared to an average of 50% for other cancers. These families need a cure now.

“Inspired by Ali, and the many families we have met along the way, Brain Tumour Research has been a driving force for change, shining a spotlight on the urgent need for more funding for research into brain tumours.”

Today, we are especially remembering Ali and thinking of her loved ones. We are also thinking of all of those who have lost someone or who know someone who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Please continue to campaign with us and fundraise for us so that we can continue the fight against this devastating disease.

Together we will find a cure.