Supporters helped us mark the start of Brain Tumour Awareness Month with visits to two of our Research Centres of Excellence last week, where they met some of the scientists working tirelessly to find a cure and went behind-the-scenes in the laboratories where pioneering breakthroughs are being made.
Wreaths were laid at both our Centres at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the University of Plymouth in memory of the lives lost to this devastating disease and tiles were placed on the Wall of Hope in recognition of fundraising efforts by our dedicated supporters.
Michelle and James Rodd were among the select group to visit ICR. Their son, George, was just three when he died, seven weeks after his diagnosis with a medulloblastoma brain tumour, in 2013. Last April, the Hertfordshire couple – who are also parents to Oscar, 16, and George’s twin Austin, now 14 – ran the TCS London Marathon, to mark the 10th anniversary of George’s death, raising more than £20,500 for Brain Tumour Research.
Placing seven tiles on the Wall of Hope to represent the seven days of research sponsored in George’s honour, Michelle said: “I hope the money we’ve raised is life-changing. It won’t bring George back but I hope it makes a difference for families in the future.”
Also at ICR, where research is focused on finding a cure for paediatric high-grade gliomas which are the deadliest of all childhood cancers, were the grandparents and aunt of Albie Bayliss-Watts.
After Albie died at the age of two of an aggressive brain tumour, his heartbroken family, including mums Lauren and Hayley from Didcot, set up a Fundraising Group called Albie and Beyond which has raised £40,000 to help fund research to find a cure.
Hayley’s parents, Sheila and Mick Bayliss, along with Albie’s aunt Amy Watts and Lauren’s father Andrew Watts, placed seven tiles on the Wall of Hope after Amy undertook two fundraising skydives, Sheila and Mick supported Wear A Hat Day at Hagbourne Pre-School where Sheila is early years manager, and Mick took on a Brave the Shave challenge.
After touring the labs at ICR, led by principal investigator Professor Chris Jones, Amy said: “It is heartening to hear from the scientists about the work being done in their quest to find a cure, which can’t come soon enough.”
Also placing a tile was brain tumour patient Lisa Sharrock, who was accompanied by her husband Mick and daughter Beth Davies. Lisa, 55, from Leek, has inspired a wave of fundraising since she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in June 2022 and even took part in a Walk of Hope just three months after her diagnosis.
Beth said: “We have fundraised for Brain Tumour Research ever since Mum’s diagnosis and it’s been a great thing to do together. We’ve had huge support from our friends and family and are determined to do more to help other families living with their own diagnosis.”
At the University of Plymouth, 15 supporters met with Professor Oliver Hanemann to hear about recent breakthroughs from the Centre which include an innovative blood test that could be used to diagnose and monitor meningioma brain tumours, to help patients like Jack Carter in the future.
Jack, 23, from Kingsbridge, visited the Centre to place tiles with his mother, Charlotte, following his diagnosis with a meningioma last December after experiencing problems with his left eye. Due to its position, surgeons can’t risk removing it.
Long before Jack’s diagnosis, Charlotte was a trustee of The Misses Barrie Charitable Trust which has awarded more than £12,000 to Brain Tumour Research since 2009, and the aid is set to continue.
Charlotte said: “I am proud to say that the Trust has committed to awarding the charity with £7,500 each year for the next three years to fund vital research. And I hope that the amazing work being conducted at the Plymouth Centre of Excellence leads to a cure for Jack.”
Mum Joanne Martin, from Devon, also joined the tour alongside her eldest daughter Jasmine, 16. The family has raised more than £26,000 to fund the fight through a Fundraising Group called Leah’s Fairy Fund which Joanne set up after her youngest daughter was diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma at the age of two. Several operations, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have left Leah, now 12, with long-term side effects including problems with speech and mobility. Joanne will place tiles to honour the fundraising achieved in Leah’s name later in the year.
We look forward to welcoming many more supporters to our Centres over the coming months, to share all we’re doing to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.
You can help keep this vital research going by donating what you can today or setting up a regular donation. Every pound adds up and all the funds you raise and donate over time count towards sponsoring a day of research at one of our Centres of Excellence. To make your donation, please click here.
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