Brain Tumour Research and The Brain Tumour Charity welcomed supporters and MPs to a parliamentary drop-in event on Tuesday 3rd March to mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
The event highlighted to parliamentarians the impact of brain tumours and provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of investment in research and access to clinical trials in the UK. To support our calls for greater investment, supporters shared their powerful stories and highlighted the urgent need for change.
Louise Fox lost her son George to an incurable glioblastoma in 2022, aged 13. Having experienced the traumatic challenges of needing to travel abroad for George’s treatment and crowdfunding to pay medical expenses, she can testify to the importance of increased access into clinical trials and funding for innovative therapies.
“I don’t want any parent to go through what we have, but far too many children lose their life each year to this devastating disease. This cannot go on and I am determined that George’s legacy will be one of inspiring change,” Louise said.
She was joined in Westminster by Oscar Kirby-Hogarty, Brain Tumour Research Trustee, who lost his mother to a glioblastoma in 2019 and Katie Smith, who was diagnosed with a high grade oligodendroglioma in 2018.
Katie, who was awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year’s Honours for her contribution to charity, said: “I feel very lucky to have reached the age of 40, knowing that so many people diagnosed with brain tumours do not. Treatments have barely changed for decades and it’s almost impossible to get onto clinical trials. This cannot go on and I am determined that my legacy will be one of inspiring change. It feels like there’s been a gear shift in Government in recent years, but it has to go further and faster to increase investment in research and accelerate access to clinical trials and innovative medicines in this country.”
Louise, Sir John Hayes MP and Katie
Along with Caroline Johnson, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, Stuart Andrew, Shadow Health Secretary, Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones and Labour MP Kevin Bonavia, politicians from all parties engaged with supporters during the event and committed to advocating for better patient outcomes.
By amplifying the insights of researchers at our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence and sharing the powerful stories of our supporters, we continue to raise awareness and drive policy goals that are ambitious and impactful. Through our campaigning for urgent change and working closely with parliamentarians, our ongoing work is focused on creating meaningful progress for the brain tumour community.
Katherine Dew, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Brain Tumour Research with Rt Hon Stuart Andrew
Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, said: “More than 1,000 people in March will be told they have a brain tumour. We desperately need to see greater funding for research, investment to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and innovative treatments and improved access to clinical trials, to see change and increased survival rates for brain tumour patients. We will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure the proposals in the National Cancer Plan are implemented so it lives up to its promise for our community.”
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