On Friday evening (1st March), celebrities and supporters from around the world came together to shine a powerful light on the many families devastated by brain tumours.
In a hugely poignant moment, at 7.30pm, candles were lit and photos were shared across social media, reaching millions to mark the beginning of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
Household names who lent their support to our campaign included singers and musicians Alfie Boe, Nile Rodgers, Suzi Quatro, Sharleen Spiteri, KT Tunstall and McFly, as well as England and Chelsea footballer Ben Chilwell, Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh, TV personality and influencer Charlotte Crosby and Olympian Victoria Pendleton.
Posting a video on Twitter, legendary musician and producer Nile Rodgers – a long-time friend and mentor of singer Pippa Simpson who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2018 – said: “Join us all in shining a light across the world for Brain Tumour Awareness Month and Brain Tumour Research.”
Pop rock band McFly posted in memory of their “good friend” Tom Parker from The Wanted, who died of a glioblastoma (GBM) in March 2022, aged just 33, while TV personality and influencer Kady McDermott took to Instagram in memory of her grandmother.
Lighting his candle, actor and producer Craig Russell (pictured at top of page), who underwent surgery to remove a meningioma and had part of his skull replaced, said: “This time last year, I had a brain tumour removed but I’m one of the lucky ones and, hopefully, with your help, there will be more lucky ones.”
Our Supporter Ambassador and glioma patient Sam Suriakumar also took to social media with his young family to bring a ray of hope to others. Sam said: “We are remembering those who have gone before us and those who are going through this battle right now.”
Among the many candles set alight by celebrities and key supporters were 100 bespoke, hand poured candles gifted to us for our Shine A Light campaign by Buckinghamshire businesswoman, Carly Parkins.
The owner and founder of Carly’s Candle Company, which operates out of her Milton Keynes home, lost her father to lung cancer in 2022. She said: “I know what it is to lose a loved one and I understand the pain and helplessness felt by many brain tumour families, which is why I was so keen to get involved in this campaign. It was amazing to see how many celebrities leant their support to it, but I guess that shows just how indiscriminate the disease is.”
There are many ways to show your support for those affected by brain tumours throughout Brain Tumour Awareness Month, including our flagship fundraiser, Wear A Hat Day, on Thursday 28th March.
For more information on Carly’s products, or to purchase you own Brain Tumour Research candle, go to www.carlyscandlecompany.co.uk.
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