We’re so pleased that you’re taking part in our 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge. Our supporters play a vital role in helping us get closer to our vision of finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. We’re here to support you as much we can. If you have any questions about the challenge, you’ll find answers to our FAQs below.
It’s simple! You can take part in the challenge by heading outside for daily exercise, going for a dog walk around your local area, hitting the treadmill at the gym, or you could even get your 10,000 Steps a Day in by walking around you home and/or garden.
The challenge can be completed wherever you like and you can take part by yourself, or as part of a group with family, friends or colleagues – the choice is yours!
Our 10,000 Steps a Day Challenge is FREE to get involved in. You will be sent your free t-shirt and step tracker when you have registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation.
Then complete this short form to register so we know where to send your FREE t-shirt and tracker: https://bit.ly/10kreg22
Now head over and join our friendly Facebook group here: https://bit.ly/10ks22fbgroup for further help on how to get started and lots of support throughout your challenge!
Important:
If you register under a different name to your Facebook name - please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive your free gift in the post.
Once you have successfully registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation, you will be eligible to receive your free Brain Tumour Research Emoji t-shirt.This will automatically be posted to you with your printed step tracker so you can keep track of your daily steps throughout the month. Remember, if you register under a different name to your Facebook name, please include BOTH in the sign-up form where indicated. Failure to do this will mean you will not receive your free t-shirt and printed step tracker in the post, because we won’t be able to match your Facebook Fundraiser to your registration form.
Once you have registered and set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, you now need to get to work on achieving your first donation to trigger your free gift being sent out to you.
You can either get your Facebook Fundraiser started by donating yourself or you can ask a friend, family member or colleague to donate to your page too! Another way to kickstart your fundraising is to invite your friends and family to your Facebook Fundraiser page so they can donate and keep up to date with your progress throughout the challenge. Don’t forget to also share your Facebook Fundraiser on your personal Facebook page and other social channels to inspire other donations.
We understand that lots of people will prefer to take on this challenge as a family / group and we have a range of adult’s and children’s t-shirts available to purchase via our eBay store.
Once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser, completed the sign-up form and received your first donation on your Facebook Fundraiser page, a free t-shirt and printed step tracker will be sent out to you.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your free t-shirt and tracker to arrive. This accounts for any potential delays in the postal system. Whilst waiting for your free gift to arrive, you can still get started with your challenge and raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Whilst you are waiting, you also have access to our digital fundraising pack which includes lots of useful tools and a printable step tracker too! You can find that here: https://bit.ly/10ks22fp
Due to the volume of amazing supporters taking part in this challenge, we are unable to change the size of your free t-shirt. We recommend if it is too big to layer clothes underneath. If it is too small and unwearable please email 10ksteps@braintumourresearch.org and we will see if we can assist.
To qualify for the free t-shirt each person taking part needs to register under their own name, set up a Facebook Fundraiser and achieve their first donation. Once they have done this it will trigger the free t-shirt and step tracker to be sent to the person who registered and set up the Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.
We understand that some people may like to join up with others, form a team, register under one name and set up one Facebook Fundraiser for them all to use. In this instance, you will still only be able to receive one FREE t-shirt. However, you can buy additional t-shirts on eBay here :
Yes, JustGiving Team Pages will allow you and your friends to create individual fundraising pages and then join them together to contribute to an overall total. This is great if you want to raise money separately whilst still contributing to a larger team goal. The page will list everyone’s individual page, as well as Brain Tumour Research so your friends, family, and colleagues know who you are raising money for, and the collective total you’ve raised together.
We understand that not everyone has a Facebook account or there will be those that wish to donate in cash and that’s no problem! You can still collect donations from those who wish to donate in a different way.
In your digital fundraising pack, which you can download here: https://bit.ly/J2622FP you will have access to an offline donations form (sponsorship form). This is a great tool to carry with you to collect on the spot donations. Any offline donations will be added to your overall fundraising total at the end of your challenge and count towards reaching that £274 target to get your FREE special medal.
You can pay in those donations routinely or altogether using the link here: https://bit.ly/J2622PAYIN
Please ensure your name and Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge are always quoted as a reference so we can add these funds to your total.
No, Facebook only shows donations collected on their platform on your Facebook Fundraiser. But don’t panic! The funds you have raised outside of Facebook will be attributed to you and your personal fundraising total.
To do this, when donating via the paying in page here https://bit.ly/J2622PAYIN we require you and your donors to reference your name and the Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge in the comments box so our finance team can allocate them correctly. If this is done, our finance team will be able to attribute your offline donations along with your Facebook Fundraiser to give you a combined final total at the end of your challenge. Don’t forget – if you raise £274 or more in donations (both via Facebook and offline) you will receive a FREE special medal in June.
You can pay in any offline donations that you have received for your Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge here: https://bit.ly/J2622PAYIN
Please ensure that you quote your full name in all correspondence so we can identify your donation and attribute it to you and your fundraising total.
If you have any cheques to pay in, please send us the cheque along with your full contact details (full name and salutation, address and post code, a contact phone number and email address) so we can send out a thank you email or letter.
Please make cheques payable to:
Brain Tumour Research
Suite 37, Shenley Pavilions
Chalkdell Drive
Shenley Wood
Milton Keynes
MK5 6LB
How do I join "10,000 Steps a Day In February Challenge"?
It’s simple! You can take part in the challenge by heading outside for daily exercise, going for a dog walk around your local area, hitting the treadmill at the gym, or you could even get your 10,000 Steps a Day in by walking around you home and/or garden.
The challenge can be completed wherever you like and you can take part by yourself, or as part of a group with family, friends or colleagues – the choice is yours!
Our 10,000 Steps a Day Challenge is FREE to get involved in. You will be sent your free t-shirt and step tracker when you have registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation.
Then complete this short form to register so we know where to send your FREE t-shirt and tracker: https://bit.ly/10kreg22
Now head over and join our friendly Facebook group here: https://bit.ly/10ks22fbgroup for further help on how to get started and lots of support throughout your challenge!
Important:
If you register under a different name to your Facebook name - please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive your free gift in the post.
Once you have successfully registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation, you will be eligible to receive your free Brain Tumour Research Emoji t-shirt.This will automatically be posted to you with your printed step tracker so you can keep track of your daily steps throughout the month. Remember, if you register under a different name to your Facebook name, please include BOTH in the sign-up form where indicated. Failure to do this will mean you will not receive your free t-shirt and printed step tracker in the post, because we won’t be able to match your Facebook Fundraiser to your registration form.
Once you have registered and set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, you now need to get to work on achieving your first donation to trigger your free gift being sent out to you.
You can either get your Facebook Fundraiser started by donating yourself or you can ask a friend, family member or colleague to donate to your page too! Another way to kickstart your fundraising is to invite your friends and family to your Facebook Fundraiser page so they can donate and keep up to date with your progress throughout the challenge. Don’t forget to also share your Facebook Fundraiser on your personal Facebook page and other social channels to inspire other donations.
We understand that lots of people will prefer to take on this challenge as a family / group and we have a range of adult’s and children’s t-shirts available to purchase via our eBay store.
Once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser, completed the sign-up form and received your first donation on your Facebook Fundraiser page, a free t-shirt and printed step tracker will be sent out to you.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your free t-shirt and tracker to arrive. This accounts for any potential delays in the postal system. Whilst waiting for your free gift to arrive, you can still get started with your challenge and raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Whilst you are waiting, you also have access to our digital fundraising pack which includes lots of useful tools and a printable step tracker too! You can find that here: https://bit.ly/10ks22fp
Due to the volume of amazing supporters taking part in this challenge, we are unable to change the size of your free t-shirt. We recommend if it is too big to layer clothes underneath. If it is too small and unwearable please email 10ksteps@braintumourresearch.org and we will see if we can assist.
To qualify for the free t-shirt each person taking part needs to register under their own name, set up a Facebook Fundraiser and achieve their first donation. Once they have done this it will trigger the free t-shirt and step tracker to be sent to the person who registered and set up the Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.
We understand that some people may like to join up with others, form a team, register under one name and set up one Facebook Fundraiser for them all to use. In this instance, you will still only be able to receive one FREE t-shirt. However, you can buy additional t-shirts on eBay here :
Yes, JustGiving Team Pages will allow you and your friends to create individual fundraising pages and then join them together to contribute to an overall total. This is great if you want to raise money separately whilst still contributing to a larger team goal. The page will list everyone’s individual page, as well as Brain Tumour Research so your friends, family, and colleagues know who you are raising money for, and the collective total you’ve raised together.
Here are some tips for how you can get your first donation or continue to receive more:
Donate to your own Facebook Fundraiser to get off the mark (Facebook recommends this to get your Fundraiser off the ground) This will also encourage others to donate
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on all your social and other platforms, with your colleagues, friends and family. Let them know why you are taking on the challenge and ask for donations – anything they can give will make a difference £4 in the minimum on Facebook Fundraisers
Invite people to your Facebook Fundraiser using the invite button at the top of your fundraising page – they will be able to donate and see your updates as you complete your challenge
At the top of your Facebook Fundraiser, you'll see a button which says "share", click on that and follow the steps to post it to your Facebook page and/ or copy and paste the link (URL) to share it on email, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, or any other social platforms to ask for donations from specific friends, family or colleagues.
Tell your story:
If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing please post in on your social media channels and on your Facebook Fundraiser as you ask for donations and it will likely help to increase your total
Post photos and content:
As you start your 100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge remember to post about it on your social media with photos of you taking part/ star jumps you’ve completed with the link to your Facebook Fundraiser and ask people to donate - people will likely see how amazing you're doing and show their support
You could post photos of your printed star jump tracker with daily or weekly updates or post photos and screenshots of your route and distance
Why not share a photo of you in your FREE t-shirt and let people know why you are supporting Brain Tumour Research
Ask your workplace if they can match fund (double, triple or quadruple) your fundraising total, or give a fixed amount in your name, as this will really help to maximise vital funds and be attributed to you
Increase your Facebook Fundraiser goal by £100 whenever you're within £50 of reaching it as people are more likely to donate to help you reach your target and see how far you can go to help get us closer to finding a cure
Post photos and videos on your social media and on your fundraising page as you complete your star jumps to inspire people to support you - take photos of your printed star jump tracker as you record them
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your timeline, if you have a brain tumour connection which you don’t mind sharing, it will likely help increase donations
Post the link to your Facebook Fundraiser on all of your social media pages and share it via email and WhatsApp asking for donations to help find a cure for brain tumours
Invite loved ones to your Facebook Fundraiser so they can donate easily
Are you a member of other Facebook groups? Share your Facebook Fundraiser in those groups and let people know why you are fundraising
How do I take part in the 100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge?
You can complete this challenge however is best for you whether it’s by yourself, with your friends, family or colleagues. Take part wherever you like, but please ensure you follow the current government guidelines at the time.
Set up your Facebook Fundraiser here - https://bit.ly/100sjfbfundraiser Remember to include ‘100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge’ in your title and edit your end date to be the 7th December, if it’s not already, or it will close automatically 2 weeks from the date you set it up
Register here so we know where to send your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker - https://bit.ly/100sjreg
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your social media, by email and other platforms asking for donations from your friends, family and colleagues to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing, it will likely help to increase your total
You can tick off or handwrite your star jumps on your printed tracker or edit it digitally (paint for example). The printed star tracker will be sent out to you once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser and registered. Please remember to share print screens of these with the Facebook Group, on your Facebook Fundraiser and social media channels to help boost your fundraising total.
We have lots of suggestions in the group from people sharing their top recommendations of how to track your star jumps, so make sure to join and get involved – https://bit.ly/100sjfbgroup
Yes, you do! If you raise £2,740 or more that will be an incredible achievement and will represent the cost of a day’s research at one of our Research Centres of Excellence.
You will be contacted about the creation of a unique tile, including a special message, placed on our Wall of Hope at the Centre of your choice. You can find out more here in the meantime - www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/sponsor-a-day
Firstly, we want to let you know how much we appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate – it’s a difficult time for everyone and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive, whatever their value.
We understand the desire to purchase a medal. However, the reason this currently isn’t possible is due to our policy of recognising those who go on to generate 10% of the cost of a day’s research which equates to £274. For those who go on to raise £2,740, a full day of research, they have the opportunity place a tile on our Wall of Hope. In addition, we find many of our supporters enjoy having a donation aim and a reward for meeting this goal.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this, however, we hope that the FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker you can receive, will also be a great reminder of your amazing achievement from completing this challenge, along with the difference you’ve made to the cause, whether you wear it or keep it as a souvenir from taking part.
We hope you understand. Thank you once again and best of luck with the challenge!
Do as many as you can – 10,20, 50 etc and tell your friends, family and colleagues that’s what you are doing instead – we’re sure they will understand.
How do I join the 100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge?
It's free to get involved and you'll be sent your FREE t-shirt and star jump tracker when you've signed up correctly and set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research. Please join our 100 Star Jumps in November Challenge Facebook Group here – https://bit.ly/100sjfbgroup
Then complete this short form to register so we know where to send your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker – https://bit.ly/100sjreg
Important:
If you register under a different name to your Facebook Name please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive anything in the post.
When you complete the sign-up form and set up your fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, you will be eligible to receive a FREE Brain Tumour Research t-shirt.
This will be posted to you with your printed star jump tracker so you can keep track of your star jumps throughout the month. Remember if you register under a different name to your Facebook Name please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker in the post.
Once you've set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research and registered, your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker will be sent to you. You can either get your Facebook Fundraiser started by donating yourself or you can ask a friend, family or colleague to donate to your page.
If you sign up by the 22nd October we’re aiming for your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker to with you by the 1st November. After that date we will get it to you as soon as we can – we are a small team so please be patient, we’re doing the best we can and appreciate your support.
If you have filled in the sign-up form correctly (including Facebook profile name if different) and set up your Facebook Fundraiser, your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker will be posted to you.
We’re aiming for these to be with you by the 1st November if you have followed the sign-up steps correctly by the 22nd October. After that date, we will send them to you as soon as possible asyou continue to raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
If you achieve £274 or more, you'll also receive a FREE special medal in December - so go for it!
Once you’ve set up your Facebook Fundraiser, if it doesn’t already, please click ‘edit’ and you’ll see a box on the left that says ‘What’s the title of your fundraiser?’ please edit that to include ‘100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge’. Once you’ve done that please click on the box that says ‘When should your fundraiser end’ and choose the 7th December, otherwise your fundraiser will close automatically two weeks from the date you set it up and you won’t be able to restart it.
Here are some tips for how you can get your first donation and continue to receive more to help you achieve your goal:
Donate to your own Facebook Fundraiser to get off the mark (Facebook recommends this to get your Fundraiser off the ground) It will also encourage others to donate to your fundraiser
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on all your social platforms, with your colleagues, friends and family. Let them know why you are taking on the challenge and ask for donations
Invite people to your Facebook Fundraiser using the invite button at the top of your fundraising page
Due to the volume of amazing supporters taking part in this challenge, we are unable to change the size of your FREE t-shirt. We recommend if it is too big to layer clothes underneath. If it is too small and unwearable please email 100starjumps@braintumourresearch.org and we will see if we can assist.
To qualify for the FREE t-shirt each person taking part needs to register under their own name and set up a Facebook Fundraiser. Once they have signed up and set up a Facebook Fundraiser it will trigger the FREE t-shirt and tracker to be sent to the person who registered and set up the Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.
We understand that some people may like to join up with others as a team, register under one name and set up one Facebook Fundraiser for them all to use, in this instance you will still only be able to receive one FREE t-shirt. However, you can buy additional t-shirts here on eBay - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Shirt-Adult-Unisex-Brain-Tumour-Research
If you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser for a different charity, don't worry please just end that one and set up a new one here – https://bit.ly/100sjfbfundraiser
Remember to include ‘100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge’ in your title and edit your end date to be the 7th December, if not already.
Once you've set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research and registered, your FREE t-shirt and printed star jump tracker will be sent.
Important – please read in full:
If you have already received donations on your Facebook Fundraiser for a different charity, please contact them and ask them to send Brain Tumour Research the money. Please ensure they do that referencing your name and that it was for the ‘100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge’ so we can attribute it to you. Here’s the link to send them for how to pay us – www.braintumourresearch.org/100-star-jumps-paying-in
The other charity will receive those funds after you've closed the Facebook Fundraiser and they are the only ones who can send it to us on your behalf so we can then attribute it to you.
Unfortunately, Facebook Fundraiser's close automatically two weeks from when you set them up, unless you extend the end date. Once a Facebook Fundraiser has ended, they can’t be restarted but, don't worry, please just set up a new Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research here – https://bit.ly/100sjfbfundraiser Remember to include ‘100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge’ in your title and edit your end date to be the 7th December, if not already.
At the end of your challenge, we will be able to attribute all the funds from both your Facebook Fundraisers to your overall total. If you’ve raised £274 or more, which represents 10% of the cost of a day’s research you’ll also receive a FREE special medal in December to celebrate that great achievement.
Sometimes Facebook will charge £0.73 when you make a donation to validate if the Facebook account making the payment is real. However, the £0.73 should go back into your account quite quickly after and if not, please contact Facebook.
If you can no longer join us for the 100 Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge, don’t worry – if you’ve already registered you don’t need to do anything, nothing will happen.
If you have already opened a Facebook Fundraiser you can choose to keep it open and continue to collect donations to help fund the fight against brain tumours or choose to close it if you would prefer.
Once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser, please check to your page to ensure it has been set up correctly. If required, you can edit the title of your fundraiser and end date. To do this, click “edit”.
You will see the option “What’s the title of your fundraiser?” Please edit that (if not done already) to “Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge”.
You will also see the option “When should your fundraiser end?” - please ensure your fundraiser is set up to end on 7th June 2022 or it will close automatically two weeks from the date you set it up. Once a fundraiser is closed,
it cannot be reopened.
The video below also shows you how to edit your fundraiser:
If you have set up a Facebook Fundraiser for a different charity, don’t worry! Please end that fundraiser and set up a new one for Brain Tumour Research here: givepanel.me/fb/0eV6MFoo
Remember to include “Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge” in your title and edit your end date to be the 7th June 2022 if not done already.
Once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, completed the sign-up form and received your first donation on your Facebook Fundraiser page, your FREE t-shirt and printed step tracker will be sent to you.
Important, please read in full: If you have already received donations on your Facebook Fundraiser page for a different charity, please contact them and ask them to send the money to Brain Tumour Research. Please ensure the charity references your name and states that the funds were raised for the “Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge” when they send the money, so we can attribute these funds to you and add to your overall fundraising totals. Please send them this link for how to pay us: www.braintumourresearch.org/jog-26.2-miles-paying-in
The other charity will receive those funds after you’ve closed the Facebook Fundraiser. They are the only ones who can send it to us on your behalf.
Unfortunately, Facebook Fundraisers close automatically two weeks from the date you set them up, unless you extend the end date. Once a Facebook Fundraiser has ended, it cannot be restarted, but don’t worry. Please just set up a new Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research here: givepanel.me/fb/0eV6MFoo
Remember to include “Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge” in your title and edit your end date to be 7th June 2022, if not already. If you have experienced the above, don’t worry, we will still be able to attribute the funds from both of your Facebook Fundraisers internally to give you a combined final total for your challenge. Please email us at jog26miles@braintumourresearch.org and we can ensure this is done for you.
Sometimes Facebook will charge £0.73 when you make a donation to validate if the Facebook account making the payment is real. However, the £0.73 should go back into your account quite quickly after. If not, please contact Facebook to assist.
Here are some top tips to help you achieve your first donation and trigger your FREE t-shirt and printed mile tracker:
Donate to your own Facebook Fundraiser to get it off the mark (Facebook recommends this too!) as this will encourage others to donate too and help you achieve your goal
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on all of your social platforms with your colleagues, friends and family, letting them know why you are taking on the challenge and explaining that they can support you and donate in just a few clicks - £4 is the minimum donation on a Facebook Fundraiser and anything they can give will make a difference
Invite people to your Facebook Fundraiser page using the “invite” button at the top of your fundraising page
It’s a proven fact that the more you share your Facebook Fundraiser across your own social platforms, the more successful you will be with your fundraising.
At the top of your Facebook Fundraiser page, you will see a button which says “share”, click on that and follow the steps to post it to your own Facebook page and/or copy and paste the link (URL) to share it on an email, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or any other social platforms to ask for donations from specific friends, family or colleagues
If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don’t mind sharing, tell your story on your social media channels and on your Facebook Fundraiser as you ask for donations - when your friends and family see how much raising vital funds for this cause means to you, they will be more inspired to support you and donate
As you start your Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge remember to post about it on your own social media with photos of you taking part / miles you’ve completed so far and include the link to your Facebook Fundraiser asking people to donate - people will likely see how amazing you’re doing and show their support
Post photos of your printed mile tracker with daily or weekly milestones achieved - you could even encourage people to join you explaining that there are so many easy ways they too can achieve 26.2 miles in May and raise vital funds
Don’t forget to share a photo of you in your FREE t-shirt and let people know why you are supporting Brain Tumour Research
If you can no longer join us for the Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge, don’t worry. If you’ve already registered you don’t need to do anything, nothing will happen.
If you have already opened a Facebook Fundraiser you can choose to keep it open and continue to collect donations to help fund the fight against brain tumours or choose to close it if you would prefer.
There are lots of apps and fitness watches that can track your miles for you. Screenshots of your distances can be uploaded to your Facebook fundraiser page and shared with your friends and family on your personal Facebook page to help boost your fundraiser and encourage donations. You can even handwrite them on your printed mile tracker which we will send out to you once you receive your first donation.
The reason we ask you to raise £274 or more to receive a medal is because it represents 10% of the cost of a day’s research at one of our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence, which is an amazing achievement.
As a charity, we have to be careful where we invest our supporters’ money so we can maximise funds for the vital research that is needed. In this instance, we are giving away a t-shirt and a printed mile tracker, which have a variety of costs associated,
and so it is not possible to give away a medal as well at this time. We really appreciate all of the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate. It’s a difficult time for everyone – including charities
– and we do really appreciate any donations we receive whatever their value.
However, we are seeing people taking part in this challenge who have already raised £274 on their Facebook Fundraiser so it can be achieved and many have
gone on to exceed their target of £274 too! In June we will begin sending out the FREE special medals in batches to those who have achieved £274 on their Facebook Fundraiser and signed up correctly.
Well done on achieving over £274 which represents 10% of the cost of a day’s research at one of our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence. This is a huge achievement and we are so grateful to you for your hard work and determination in raising vital funds. Medals are being sent out throughout June to celebrate that great achievement. You do not have to contact anyone, once you reach the £274 target, this will trigger a medal being sent to you automatically.
Firstly, we want to let you know how much we appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate. It’s a difficult time for everyone and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive, whatever their value.
We understand the desire to purchase a medal. However, the reason this currently isn’t possible is due to our policy of recognising those who go on to raise £274, which represents 10% of the cost of a day’s research at one of our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence. For those who go on to raise £2,740 to sponsor a full day of research at one of our Research Centres, they have the opportunity to place a tile on our Wall of Hope. In addition, we find many of our supporters enjoy having a donation aim and a reward for meeting this goal.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this, however, we hope that the FREE t-shirt and printed mile tracker you can receive will also be a great reminder of your amazing achievement along with the difference you’ve made to the cause, whether you wear it or keep it as a souvenir from taking part.
We hope you understand. Thank you once again and best of luck with the challenge!
Yes, you do! If you raise £2,740 or more you can sponsor a day of research at one of our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence.
You will be contacted about the creation of a unique tile, including a special message, placed on our Wall of Hope at the Research Centre of your choice. You can find out more here in the meantime - www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/sponsor-a-day
How do I take part in the Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge?
You can complete this challenge however is best for you whether it’s by yourself, with your friends, family or colleagues. Take part wherever you like, but please ensure you follow the current government guidelines at the time.
Join our Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge Facebook group here
If it’s not already, please edit the title to include ‘Cycle 274 Miles in August’ and edit your end date to be the 6th September or it will close automatically 2 weeks from the date you set it up
Register here so we know where to send your FREE gift and printed mile tracker
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your social media, by email and other platforms asking for donations from your friends, family and colleagues to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing, it will likely help to increase your total
There are lots of apps and fitness watches that can use to track your miles – please remember to share print screens of these with the Facebook Group, on your Facebook Fundraiser and social media channels to help boost your fundraiser.
You can also tick off or handwrite your miles on your printed mile tracker or edit it digitally (paint for example). The printed mile tracker will be sent out to you once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser and registered.
The reason you have to raise £274 or more for a medal is that it represents the cost of 10% of a day’s research, at one of our Research Centre’s of Excellence, which is an amazing achievement.
As a charity, we have to be careful where we invest our supporter’s money so we can maximise funds for the vital research that is needed. In this instance, we are giving away a FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker, which have a variety of costs associated, and so it is not possible to give away a medal on top of the FREE gift this time.
We really appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate – it’s a difficult time for everyone including charities and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive whatever their value.
Yes, you do! If you raise £2,740 or more that will be an incredible achievement and will represent the cost of a day’s research at one of our Research Centres of Excellence.
You will be contacted in June about the creation of a unique tile, including a special message, placed on our Wall of Hope at the Centre of your choice. You can find out more here in the meantime
Thanks to all of you who have asked if you can buy a medal if you don’t reach £274 on your Facebook Fundraiser which will trigger that being sent in June.
Firstly, we want to let you know how much we appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate – it’s a difficult time for everyone and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive, whatever their value.
We understand the desire to purchase a medal. However, the reason this currently isn’t possible is due to our policy of recognising those who go on to generate 10% of the cost of a day’s research which equates to £274. For those who go on to raise £2,740, a full day of research, they have the opportunity place a tile on our Wall of Hope. In addition, we find many of our supporters enjoy having a donation aim and a reward for meeting this goal.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this, however, we hope that the FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker you can receive, will also be a great reminder of your amazing achievement from completing this challenge, along with the difference you’ve made to the cause, whether you wear it or keep it as a souvenir from taking part.
We hope you understand. Thank you once again and best of luck with the challenge!
1. Go to your profile photo on Facebook and click “update profile picture” then choose “add frame”
2. Type in the search bar “Brain Tumour Research” and choose the Cycle 274 Miles in August frame
3. Click the button which says “Use as profile photo” when you’re happy with how it looks and choose how long it will stay on your photo - we would recommend choosing a month.
4. The Cycle 274 Miles in August Facebook Frame will now appear on your profile photo and your Facebook friends will see this as a new post from you!
If you use Strava, you can join our Strava Club to log your practice rides and challenge miles https://bit.ly/c274strava
We also want to say that although there is a leaderboard on Strava this challenge is not a competition. Please Cycle your 274 Miles in August at your own pace, in your own way, and just do your best
Once you've registered and set up a Facebook Fundraiser for us you'll also receive a printed mile tracker.
It’s 274 miles as £274 represents 10% of the cost of a day’s research, that is also why when you raise £274 or more you’ll also receive a FREE special medal in September to celebrate your great achievement, so go for it!
If you raise £2,740 which represents the cost of a day’s research,you’ll also be able to take a tour of one of Research Centres, talking to our researchers about their vital work you’ve helped to support whilst placing a personalised tile on the Wall of Hope to commemorate your incredible achievement (when restrictions allow). More information can be found here ➡️ https://bit.ly/39Ej5Tc
How do I join the Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge?
It's free to get involved and you'll be sent your FREE cycling jersey when you've signed up correctly and set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research. Please join our Cycle 274 Miles in August Facebook Group here.
Then complete this short form to register so we know where to send your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker.
Important:
If you register under a different name to your Facebook Name please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive anything in the post.
When you complete the sign-up form and set up your fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, you will be eligible to receive a FREE cycling jersey.
This will be posted to you with your printed mile tracker so you can keep track of your miles throughout the month. Remember if you register under a different name to your Facebook Name please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker in the post.
Once you've set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research and registered, your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker will be sent to you. You can either get your Facebook Fundraiser started by donating yourself or you can ask a friend, family or colleague to donate to your page.
If you sign up by the 23rd July we’re aiming for your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker to with you by the 1st August. After that date we will get it to you as soon as we can – we are a small team so please be patient, we’re doing the best we can and appreciate your support as you continue to raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
If you have filled in the sign-up form correctly (including Facebook profile name if different) and set up your Facebook Fundraiser, your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker will be posted to you.
We’re aiming for these to be with you by the 1st August if you have followed the sign-up steps correctly by the 23rd July. After that date, we will send them to you as soon as possible asyou continue to raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
If you achieve £274 or more, you'll also receive a FREE special medal in September - so go for it!
Once you’ve set up your Facebook Fundraiser, if it doesn’t already, please click ‘edit’ and you’ll see a box on the left that says ‘What’s the title of your fundraiser?’ please edit that to include ‘Cycle 274 Miles in August’. Once you’ve done that please click on the box that says ‘When should your fundraiser end’ and choose the 6th September, otherwise your fundraiser will close automatically two weeks from the date you set it up and you won’t be able to restart it.
Here are some tips for how you can get your first donation and continue to receive more to help you achieve your goal:
Donate to your own Facebook Fundraiser to get off the mark (Facebook recommends this to get your Fundraiser off the ground) It will also encourage others to donate to your fundraiser
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on all your social platforms, with your colleagues, friends and family. Let them know why you are taking on the challenge and ask for donations
Invite people to your Facebook Fundraiser using the invite button at the top of your fundraising page
Due to the volume of amazing supporters taking part in this challenge, we are unable to change the size of your cycling jersey. We recommend if it is too big to layer clothes underneath. If it is too small and unwearable please email Cycle274@braintumourresearch.org and we will see if we can assist.
To qualify for the FREE cycling jersey each person taking part needs to register under their own name and set up a Facebook Fundraiser. Once they have signed up and set up a Facebook Fundraiser it will trigger the free gift to be sent to the person who registered and set up the Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.
We understand that some people may like to join up with others as a team, register under one name and set up one Facebook Fundraiser for them all to use, in this instance you will still only be able to receive one FREE cycling jersey. However, you can buy additional cycling jersey’s here on eBay for £25
If you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser for a different charity, don't worry please just end that one and set up a new one here. Remember to include ‘Cycle 274 Miles in August’ in your title and edit your end date to be the 6th September, if not already.
Once you've set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research and registered, your FREE cycling jersey and printed mile tracker will be sent.
Important – please read in full:
If you have already received donations on your Facebook Fundraiser for a different charity, please contact them and ask them to send Brain Tumour Research the money. Please ensure they do that referencing your name and that it was for the ‘Cycle 274 Miles in August’ Challenge so we can attribute it to you. Here’s the link to send them for how to pay us – https://www.braintumourresearch.org/donation/paying-your-money-in
The other charity will receive those funds after you've closed it and they are the only ones who can send it to us on your behalf so we can then attribute it to you.
Sometimes Facebook will charge £0.73 when you make a donation to validate if the Facebook account making the payment is real. However, the £0.73 should go back into your account quite quickly after and if not, please contact Facebook.
If you can no longer join us for the Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge, don’t worry – if you’ve already registered you don’t need to do anything, nothing will happen.
If you have already opened a Facebook Fundraiser you can choose to keep it open and continue to collect donations to help fund the fight against brain tumours or choose to close it if you would prefer.
How to increase donations on my Facebook Fundraiser:
Here are some tips for how you can get your first donation or continue to receive more:
Donate to your own Facebook Fundraiser to get off the mark (Facebook recommends this to get your Fundraiser off the ground) This will also encourage others to donate
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on all your social and other platforms, with your colleagues, friends and family. Let them know why you are taking on the challenge and ask for donations – anything they can give will make a difference £4 in the minimum on Facebook Fundraisers
Invite people to your Facebook Fundraiser using the invite button at the top of your fundraising page – they will be able to donate and see your updates as you complete your challenge
If you’d also like to collect offline sponsorship please download the editable PDF form here or you can print it off
At the top of your Facebook Fundraiser, you'll see a button which says "share", click on that and follow the steps to post it to your Facebook page and/ or copy and paste the link (URL) to share it on email, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, or any other social platforms to ask for donations from specific friends, family or colleagues.
Tell your story:
If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing please post in on your social media channels and on your Facebook Fundraiser as you ask for donations and it will likely help to increase your total
Post photos and content:
As you start your Jog 26 Miles in May Challenge remember to post about it on your social media with photos of you taking part/ miles you’ve jogged with the link to your Facebook Fundraiser and ask people to donate - people will likely see how amazing you're doing and show their support
You could post photos of your printed mile tracker with daily or weekly updates or post photos and screenshots of your route, distance and steps
Why not share a photo of you in your FREE t-shirt or baseball cap and let people know why you are supporting Brain Tumour Research
Ask your workplace if they can match fund (double, triple or quadruple) your fundraising total, or give a fixed amount in your name, as this will really help to maximise vital funds and be attributed to you
Increase your Facebook Fundraiser goal by £100 whenever you're within £50 of reaching it as people are more likely to donate to help you reach your target and see how far you can go to help get us closer to finding a cure
Post photos and videos on your social media and on your fundraising page as you complete your miles to inspire people to support you - take photos of your printed mile tracker as you record your completed miles
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your timeline, if you have a brain tumour connection which you don’t mind sharing, it will likely help increase donations
Post the link to your Facebook Fundraiser on all of your social media pages and share it via email and WhatsApp asking for donations to help find a cure for brain tumours
Invite loved ones to your Facebook Fundraiser so they can donate easily
Are you a member of other Facebook groups? Share your Facebook Fundraiser in those groups and let people know why you are fundraising
How do I take part in the Jog 26 Miles in May Challenge?
You can complete this challenge however is best for you whether it’s by yourself, with your household, or socially distanced with a friend. Take part in your local area or you could even clock up the miles in your garden or house. (Please ensure you follow the current government guidelines on exercise, social distancing and meeting with other households)
If it’s not already, please edit the title to include ‘Jog 26 Miles in May’ and edit your end date to be the 7th June or it will close automatically 2 weeks from the date you set it up
Register here so we know where to send your FREE gift and printed mile tracker
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your social media, by email and other platforms asking for donations from your friends, family and colleagues to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing, it will likely help to increase your total
There are lots of apps and fitness watches that can use to track your miles – please remember to share print screens of these with the Facebook Group, on your Facebook Fundraiser and social media channels to help boost your fundraiser.
You can also tick off or handwrite your miles on your printed mile tracker or edit it digitally (paint for example). The printed mile tracker will be sent out to you once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser and registered.
We have lots of suggestions in the group from people sharing their top recommendations of how to track miles, so make sure to join and get involved
The reason you have to raise £274 or more for a medal is that it represents the cost of 10% of a day’s research, at one of our Research Centre’s of Excellence, which is an amazing achievement.
As a charity, we have to be careful where we invest our supporter’s money so we can maximise funds for the vital research that is needed. In this instance, we are giving away a FREE gift and printed mile tracker, which have a variety of costs associated, and so it is not possible to give away a medal on top of the FREE gift this time.
We really appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate – it’s a difficult time for everyone including charities and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive whatever their value.
Yes, you do! If you raise £2,740 or more that will be an incredible achievement and will represent the cost of a day’s research at one of our Research Centres of Excellence.
You will be contacted in June about the creation of a unique tile, including a special message, placed on our Wall of Hope at the Centre of your choice. You can find out more here in the meantime.
Thanks to all of you who have asked if you can buy a medal if you don’t reach £274 on your Facebook Fundraiser which will trigger that being sent in June.
Firstly, we want to let you know how much we appreciate all the effort our supporters are undertaking right now, particularly in the current climate – it’s a difficult time for everyone and we do really appreciate any donations that we receive, whatever their value.
We understand the desire to purchase a medal. However, the reason this currently isn’t possible is due to our policy of recognising those who go on to generate 10% of the cost of a day’s research which equates to £274. For those who go on to raise £2,740, a full day of research, they have the opportunity place a tile on our Wall of Hope. In addition, we find many of our supporters enjoy having a donation aim and a reward for meeting this goal.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this, however, we hope that the FREE gift and printed mile tracker you can receive, will also be a great reminder of your amazing achievement from completing this challenge, along with the difference you’ve made to the cause, whether you wear it or keep it as a souvenir from taking part.
We hope you understand. Thank you once again and best of luck with the challenge!
1. Go to your profile photo on Facebook and click “update profile picture” then choose “add frame”
2. Type in the search bar “Brain Tumour Research” and choose the Jog 26 Miles in May frame
3. Click the button which says “Use as profile photo” when you’re happy with how it looks and choose how long it will stay on your photo - we would recommend choosing a month.
4. The Jog 26 Miles in May Facebook Frame will now appear on your profile photo and your Facebook friends will see this as a new post from you!
How do I join the Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge?
It’s simple! You can complete this challenge however is best for you. The challenge can be completed wherever you like and you can take part by yourself, or as part of a group with family, friends or colleagues – the choice is yours! Jog your 26.2 miles in your local area, at the gym, on a treadmill or even clock up the miles in your garden!
Our Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge is FREE to get involved in. You will be sent your FREE t-shirt and step tracker when you have registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation.
Then complete this short form to register so we know where to send your FREE t-shirt and tracker: https://givp.nl/erf/w2CzeG7C
Now join our friendly Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/964523327503746/ for further help on how to get started and lots of support throughout your challenge!
Important:
If you register under a name that is different to your name on Facebook, please include both in the sign-up form where indicated, otherwise you will not receive your free gift in the post.
Once you have successfully registered, set up your Facebook Fundraiser and received your first donation, you will be eligible to receive your FREE Brain Tumour Research emoji t-shirt.
Receiving your first donation will automatically trigger us posting your t-shirt to you, along with your printed mile tracker so you can keep track of your miles throughout the month.
Remember, if you register under a name that is different to your name on Facebook, please include BOTH in the sign-up form where indicated. Failure to do this will mean you will not receive your FREE t-shirt and printed step tracker in the post, because we won’t be able to match your Facebook Fundraiser to your registration form.
Once you have registered and set up your Facebook Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, you now need to get to work on achieving your first donation to trigger your FREE gift being sent out to you.
You can either get your Facebook Fundraiser started by donating yourself or you can ask a friend, family member or colleague to donate to your page too. Another way to kickstart your fundraising is to invite your friends and family to your Facebook Fundraiser page so they can donate and keep up to date with your progress throughout the challenge. Don’t forget to also share your Facebook Fundraiser on your personal Facebook page and other social channels to inspire other donations. You can always find your Facebook Fundraiser page here : www.facebook.com/fundraisers/manage
Please allow 10 working days after receiving your first donation for our volunteers to ship your t-shirt and printed mile tracker to you. We are a small team so please be patient, we’re doing the best we can and appreciate your support as you continue to raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
Please use the below t-shirt sizing guide to help determine which size to order. T-shirt size measurements are approximate and could vary up or down by up to 2.5cm, a variance that is an accepted clothing industry standard.
If you are taking part as a family or group and would like to purchase additional t-shirt’s to match, please visit our eBay shop and shop here: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165231674705
We understand that some people will prefer to take on this challenge as a family / group and we have a range of adult’s and children’s t-shirts available to purchase via our eBay store. Please note, children’s t-shirts are only available in our original Brain Tumour Research design.
Once you have set up your Facebook Fundraiser, completed the sign-up form and received your first donation on your Facebook Fundraiser page, a FREE t-shirt and printed mile tracker will be sent out to you.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your FREE t-shirt and tracker to arrive. This accounts for any potential delays in the postal system.
Whilst waiting for your FREE gift to arrive, you can still get started with your challenge and raise vital funds to help us get closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Whilst you are waiting, you also have access to our digital fundraising pack which includes lots of useful tools and a printable mile tracker too! You can find that here: www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/jog-26.2-miles-fundraising-pack
Due to the volume of amazing supporters taking part in this challenge, we are unable to change the size of your FREE t-shirt. We recommend if it is too big to layer clothes underneath. If it is too small and unwearable, please email jog26miles@braintumourresearch.org and we will do our best to assist.
If you raise £274 or more which entitles you to receive a medal in June as it represents the cost of 10% of a days research it is automatically sent – if you don’t want to receive a medal please email Jog26miles@braintumourresearch.org as they will be able to help.
At the top of your Facebook Fundraiser, you'll see a button which says "share", click on that and follow the steps to post it to your Facebook page and/ or copy and paste the link (URL) to share it on email, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, or any other
social platforms to ask for donations from specific friends, family or colleagues.
Tell your story
If you have a personal connection to brain tumours which you don't mind sharing as you ask for donations, it will likely help to increase your total
Post photos and content
There is also a long way to go and as you start doing 10,000 Steps a Day in February and posting about it on your social media with photos of you taking part with the link to your Facebook Fundraiser, people will likely see how amazing you're doing
and donate to show their support.
You could post photos of your tracker with daily or weekly updates or post photos and screenshots of your route, distance and steps.
Why not share a photo of you in your FREE t-shirt?
Ask your workplace if they can match fund your fundraising total as this will really help to maximise vital funds
Increase your target by £100 whenever you're within £50 of reaching it as people are more likely to donate to help you reach your target and see how far you can go to help get us closer to finding a cure
Post photos and videos on your social media and on your fundraising page as you complete your daily steps to inspire people to support you - take photos of your printed step tracker as you record your daily steps
Share your Facebook Fundraiser on your timeline, if you have a brain tumour connection which you don’t mind sharing, it will likely help increase donations
Post the link to your fundraiser on all of your social media pages and share it via email and WhatsApp asking for donations to help find a cure for brain tumours
Invite loved ones to your Facebook Fundraiser so they can donate easily
Are you a member of other Facebook groups? Share your Facebook Fundraiser in those groups and let people know why you are fundraising
Move in a direction around the lab by clicking with your cursor in the space you wish to travel (you don’t have to click in the white circle that appear on the floor). This is your experience so you choose where to go.
Click the coloured circles for more information, some of the descriptions in these circles include links for you to click to find out more information (these are in a bolder font and underlined white with an arrow and square at the end). So, you don’t lose your place in tour, right click your mouse and press ‘open in new tab’.
Yellow circles are equipment
Pink circles are videos, mainly from our researchers
You can view videos from pink circles in the small window by pressing the play button, if you’d like to make it bigger, click the empty square button next to the ‘YouTube’ text and it will show full screen, to go back to your tour press ‘Esc’
We recommend that everyone taking part is familiar with a spin bike does do some training for the event if this is not a routine activity for you. For longer distances / periods e.g. 10 miles in 60 minutes on a static bike, continuous pedalling at a steady pace, will require a good level of fitness. These are very general guidelines and we recommend that anyone with any known conditions or general health concerns should check with their GP or fitness trainer before agreeing to participate.
We recommend a gym as the ideal location simply because they’ve got everything you need to take part ready and waiting! But if you’ve got a spin bike at home or in your office, you can do it there.
Here’s what the experts tell us: wear training shoes, gym socks and a loose-fitting t-shirt. Shorts tend to be most comfortable for longer sessions in the saddle.
A Brain Tumour Research Virtual Gifts are a range of gifts for a friend or loved one. These gifts have been carefully selected to progress our research into the causes and possible treatments for brain tumours.
All the money you give to Brain Tumour Research will be used to fund Brain Tumour Research's work. These gifts are examples of the support our researchers need and represent how your money could be used. The money raised through sales of gifts and donations could be used fund brain tumour research, help us lobby the government and larger cancer charities or fund the publication of our Statistics Report. We will spend money wherever it is needed.
Once you have completed your order you should receive a confirmation email from NowDonate immediately. This will be followed up with an email with your certificate attached from Brain Tumour Research within 2 working days.
Yes – if you would like to take advantage of this option once you have made your purchase, please email supportercare@braintumourresearch.org or call 01908 867200 to confirm address details and any message you’d like to add to the certificate.
You can pay for your virtual gift purchases using one of the following payment types: Paypal, Direct Debit or Credit/Debit Card - Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
A term used to describe a number of different types of tumour, meaning that at this stage the tumour is formed of cancer cells that are dividing rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.
This is a coalition of UK research funding charities. There 140 member charities, who together spend over £1.4bn a year on research here in the UK. In order to join the AMRC, a charity has to demonstrate transparency by the use of peer review of all research applications, as well as publishing a research strategy. Research funded by an AMRC member attracts an additional 26% of its value to cover the cost of University overheads and this is funded by the Charity Research Support Fund.
A biopsy is a form of neurosurgery in which a hollow needle is passed into the brain tumour in order to take small samples from various areas within that tumour. The samples are then sent for analysis in order to determine a precise diagnosis.
For full genetic profiling freshly frozen tissue samples are crucial, although paraffin embedded samples (the more traditional, less expensive way to preserve brain tissue) provides enough information to make a diagnosis that is detailed enough to guide the planning of treatment currently available on the NHS in the UK.
Because it is so sensitive, the brain needs to be protected from toxic factors which may be present in the blood. So, a specific membrane called the blood-brain barrier surrounds the blood vessels within the brain to prevent the passage of these agents into the brain. However, it can also prevent certain drugs from entering the brain and this is why some drugs, which have been developed for other tumours, are ineffective for the treatment of brain tumours.
There is one cannabis-based drug, Sativex, which is licensed for the alleviation of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. The active ingredients, which are derived from the cannabis plant, are called cannabinoids. These compounds are also contained in cannabis oil, although usually at a much lower concentration. Some people have used cannabis oil as a potential treatment for their brain tumour, although there is no evidence that it is of benefit. Because cannabis oil is available to purchase without prescription, primarily over the internet, it is not considered as a medicinal product. Therefore, the quantity and nature of the cannabinoids present may vary and there is no quality control process to monitor the contents.
The use of drugs to treat cancer is referred to as chemotherapy. These drugs act to halt the growth of the tumour cells, or to kill them. While there are many different types of drugs available, the majority of these can’t be used for the treatment of brain tumours because they can’t cross the blood-brain barrier to get to the site of the tumour. The most common drug used for the treatment of brain tumours is temozolomide.
This refers to the removal of at least part of a tumour by surgery so that there is less tumour present for subsequent treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
A diffuse brain tumour is one that does not have a clear boundary, instead infiltrating healthy brain tissue, spreading between and around surrounding brain cells.
Grade III (3) — the tumour cells grow quickly, are likely to spread into nearby tissue, and the tumour cells look very different from normal cells.
Grade IV (4) — the tumour grows and spreads very quickly. These tumours can be difficult to treat and not be removable by surgery, depending on the size, location within the brain and the extent to which they have invaded the surrounding tissue.
This is the study of the cells and tissues under a microscope. It involves the preparation of a thin slice of tumour tissue using a specialized cutting device and placing it on a glass microscope slide. This can then be examined in order to obtain specific information about a tumour such as its type and grade.
Although tumours are different to normal cells and should be identified as “foreign” by our immune system, they use specific mechanisms to prevent this from happening and essentially puts the immune cells near the tumour into hibernation. Immunotherapy refers to the reawakening of the immune system in order to allow it to attack the tumour cells. There are two main approaches being used. One stimulates the cells into action, and these drugs are called checkpoint inhibitors. An example of this is the drug nivolumab which has undergone clinical trials which were unsuccessful. However, other trials using similar drugs are in the planning stage. The second is to use a vaccination approach. This involves the generation of a part of the surface of the tumour that can be injected into the body to produce antibodies which can attack the tumour cells.
Soluble aspirin forms a suspension and appears as a cloudy solution rather than fully dissolving in water. Because it is not fully soluble, only a small amount will cross the blood-brain barrier to enter into the brain. By combining aspirin with another compound which itself has no action in the brain, researchers have developed a truly soluble form of the drug which is more likely to enter the brain. Initial studies using brain tumour cells grown in the lab suggest that this form of aspirin may kill the cells and trials are currently being planned to see whether this effect can be seen in the brain itself.
Grade I (1) — the tumour grows slowly and rarely spreads into nearby tissues. Depending on its location, it should be possible to remove the entire tumour by surgery.
Grade II (2) — the tumour grows slowly, but may spread into nearby tissue and the tumour may regrow at some stage following surgery. Some tumours may develop to form a higher-grade tumour.
A molecular marker, also known as a genetic marker, is a fragment of DNA that is related to a particular area on the genome. Your genome contains all of the genetic information needed to build and maintain your body. Because they are specific to certain areas, molecular markers can be used to identify the position on your genome of a specific genetic mutation that gives rise to a mutated protein and hence a particular characteristic or behaviour. For example, will a particular type of brain tumour grow slowly or aggressively, and will it respond well to certain drugs.
Molecular markers are identified using biochemical analysis (genetic profiling) of a brain tumour sample removed during surgery (biopsy). The genetic profile of a brain tumour can then be used to diagnose the exact type and sometimes guide certain treatments that have been shown to benefit tumours that carry the same molecular marker.
A doctor who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer is called an oncologist. Those who focus on the treatment of brain tumours are referred to as a neuro-oncologist.
An ophthalmologist a medically qualified doctor who has undergone specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions, and is usually also qualified as an eye surgeon. If an ophthalmologist discovers a brain tumour during an eye examination, they can provide a referral to a neurosurgeon.
An optometrist prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses, and is trained to understand the mechanisms of the eye, including health conditions such as a brain tumour that may present itself with symptoms affecting sight. If an optometrist discovers symptoms that indicate a brain tumour, a GP can provide a referral to a neurologist or a neurosurgeon for further investigation.
This is a new type of therapy called “Tumour Treating Fields”. It involves the placing of electrodes onto a person’s shaved skull which are then kept in place by a skin-tight cap. These are connected to a battery which is carried around for 18 hours per day. While the results look promising, further research is required in order to understand who would benefit from the treatment. The high cost makes it unlikely to be available on the NHS in near future.
This describes the study of various aspects of a disease including its cause, mechanisms of development, the structural alterations of cells and the consequences of the changes that are observed. It is mostly concerned with analyzing specific changes that have been identified as markers of a disease. A clinical pathologist will use a number of different techniques, including histology, in order to make a diagnosis and this will provide information on what treatment should be used. A pathologist works in close collaboration with clinical staff including oncologists.
It is vital that Brain Tumour Research only funds the highest quality research. Following submission, we send all funding applications to world experts in the specific field and ask them to examine the research proposals in detail. We will only fund research which has received the highest quality reviews from the experts.
The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system (CNS) that lies inside the brain and spinal cord, to other organs.
Peripheral nerves are the 12 cranial nerves (that originate from the brain and brainstem), the nerves in the spine and the autonomic nerves. Autonomic nerves control automatic functions of the body such as regulating the muscles that control heartbeat, the muscles that line blood vessels (hence supporting blood flow around the body), and the functions of glands.
This is a new form of radiotherapy which uses a specific form of radiation called proton beams. It is considered to be more accurate than existing radiotherapy with less damage to the tissue surrounding the tumour.
This is also referred to as radiation therapy and is a treatment using radiation as part of cancer treatment to control or kill tumour cells. It can be administered along with chemotherapy in certain forms of cancer. However, further research is required to identify which types of brain tumour will respond best to this form of therapy.
There are many different types of brain tumours – the WHO have listed over 120 in their 2016 guidelines. The type of tumour depends on its location within the brain, the cells from which it originated, the pathology and its genetic make-up. This will also influence the shape and size of the tumour as well as its growth rate. Tumours can be classified as low-grade or high-grade, depending upon their nature.
A protein produced by the immune system to recognise and attach itself to an antigen that identifies something such as a virus, bacteria or cancer cell as “not self” and therefore potentially a threat. The antibody then either neutralises or destroys the cell that has been identified.
An antigen is a substance that is recognised by antibodies as being ‘non-self” and therefore posing a potential threat to our health, hence stimulating an immune response.
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. RNA’s main role is to act as a messenger, copying the instructions contained within the DNA of our cells in order to then use those instructions to make proteins. However in some viruses, RNA itself carries the genetic blueprint for the organism.
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It contains the genetic information that provides the instructions for our body to make proteins with a huge range of different functions.
T cells protect the body from infections (and cancer) by specifically recognising anything ‘non-self’, such as viruses and bacteria, and killing infected cells. T cells can also recognise and eliminate tumour cells, because tumour cells make many mutated proteins, which are seen by T cells as “non-self”. Activation of an anti-tumour T cell response is the ultimate goal of immunotherapy.
Our latest report on National Research Funding into brain tumour research reveals the true impact of the funding landscape on the lives of brain tumour patients and their families. Statistics on funding levels for Government bodies and some of the UK’s leading cancer charities have been revealed for the first time through a data request for unpublished information from the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and direct requests to some of their partners.
The charity Brain Tumour Research has used data sources from national statistics authorities for the UK and devolved nations to analyse mortality, incidence and survival data to expose the current impact of the historical underfunding into brain tumour research. The charity also commissioned a poll of over 2000 UK adults, conducted by Populus, this year.
We have been campaigning and fundraising since we launched in 2009, but we don’t believe that decades of underfunding can, or should, be corrected by one charity. The larger cancer charities and the Government have important roles to play here.
We will continue to shine a spotlight on this issue, as well as raising millions for research from our passionate supporters.
Cancer Research UK pledged to increase investment in brain tumours, amongst a few others they term “cancers of unmet need” in 2014. We welcome this new focus, but there are decades of research to catch up on, so much more investment is needed.
The Petitions Committee published a report on research into brain tumours earlier this year, following 120,000 people signing our petition. The Government then responded to its report, agreeing that action was needed and making various commitments including the setting up of a new task and finish working group.
Research into brain tumours hasn’t been sufficiently funded partly due to the way research funding is awarded. During the Parliamentary debate on this issue in April 2016, the then Health Minister, George Freeman MP, acknowledged:
“Here is the challenge: our system works on the basis of bids and of accelerated funding. Once funding starts to drive clinical and academic results, that generates more funding, which drives more research. The danger in that model is that, unless that initial critical mass can be achieved, things can get squeezed out.”
Tragically for so many, research into brain tumours has clearly been squeezed out.
Also, brain tumours are a complex challenge for scientists:
There are over 120 different types of brain cancer.
The brain is a very delicate organ.
The brain is surrounded by the blood-brain barrier that many current cancer drugs simply cannot cross.
We are campaigning for parity in funding, for the sake of patients and families across the UK. All forms of cancer should be fairly funded, including breast cancer and leukaemia, as more research is still needed to find cures.
We are asking for the national spend on brain tumour research to increase, to be in line with the investment in breast cancer and leukaemia (£30-£35 million p.a.).
Our report reveals that 86% of the national spend on research into brain tumours was funded by charities last year. The Government must step up.
We endorse the Association of Medical Research Charities position statement on the use of animals in medical research, and as the scope of our research expands and moves closer to progressing potential treatments through to clinical trials, some of
the research activities we fund now unavoidably involve mouse models and fruit fly models in order to fulfil current legislative requirements.
Wherever possible, we want the research that we fund at our dedicated Centres of Excellence to use human brain tumour tissue. Indeed we have proactively funded research into creating and sustaining animal-free research using models that only involve
human brain tumour cells, donated through appropriate consent given by patients undergoing surgical procedures.
We also fund BRAIN UK at Southampton University, the country’s only national tissue bank providing crucial access to brain tumour samples for researchers from the archives of clinical neuroscience centres in the UK, effectively covering
about 90% of the UK population, and an essential component in the fight to find a cure for brain tumours.
The research priorities at our Centres of Excellence are based on finding ways to innovate new curative treatments for brain tumours which will likely have the best outcomes for patients. We are not currently funding any research into cannabinoids, but we recognise that the use of cannabinoids for the management of brain tumours is important topic and are closely monitoring the ongoing developments in this area, including contributing to governmental Inquiries and consultations where possible, and we do publish news and blog updates on this subject on our website. Go to our Search function and type in Cannabis, Cannabinoids or CBD to see our latest updates. If you would like to find out more, please contact us today.
The first thing to do is to speak to your medical team They will know any suitable clinical trials at the centre where you are being treated, and may be aware of others elsewhere that you may be eligible for.
If you are enquiring about trials at a different centre to the one you are being treated at make sure you are able to tell them your type of tumour the grade and, for drug trials, the type of genetic mutations your tumour has. Your medical team will be able to supply this information after they have taken a biopsy- and possibly following an MRI scan.
You can try searching online using your tumour type and the country in which you are looking for a clinical trial. The UK based NHS resource Be Part of Research is an excellent place to search for UK based clinical trials for brain tumours or your search could be expanded to include Europe with The European Union Clinical Trials Register and the US with ClinicalTrials.gov.
Also online you can register your interest in UK based brain tumour research so that researchers can get in touch if they begin a suitable study. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) BioResource is one such resource and others, as well as further information on UK based research into brain tumours can be found on our website.
Currently we don’t fund clinical trials as we prioritise funding groundbreaking early-stage research in order to discover new treatments that will lead to cures. Clinical trials are expensive to run and funding for these is available through the recently announced Government funding.
As a result of this funding, good quality clinical trial proposals will be considered by the National Institute for Health Research, which is prioritising brain tumour proposals that meet its criteria.
Brain tumours are the most common type of solid tumour in children. Every year, almost 400 children in the UK aged nine or less are diagnosed with a brain tumour and almost 100 children in the UK die from one each year. Approximately, 4% of those diagnosed each year with a brain tumour are children. We recognise the importance of working with families to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on this devastating disease and we are leading the way to increase the national investment in research to help improve outcomes. This year we will spend around £2.5 million on brain tumour research through our three Research Centres of Excellence. These Research Centres are working tirelessly to gain a deeper understanding of child and adult brain tumours. With respect to childhood brain tumours, our researchers are tackling these from many different angles as outlined below:
Plymouth University is investigating new ways to treat Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), an inherited condition that can be diagnosed from age five causing tumours to grow along the nerves and can lead to DIPG tumours.
During 2021 we created a paediatric sub-group at Queen Mary University of London with three new researchers working towards developing new treatments for childhood brain tumours including: medulloblastoma, DIPG, childhood glioblastoma and ependymoma
Imperial College London has been investigating the role of arginine deprivation in childhood glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Brain Tumour Research is committed to gaining a deeper understanding of brain tumours to help us get closer to a cure. Our model of funding is to invest in long-term research, building critical mass of expertise. We do this by establishing partnerships at key UK universities and create Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence. We are supporting three Centres of Excellence at University of Plymouth, Imperial College London and Queen Mary, University of London.
Any funding opportunities would be available via the Centres, please do review our website pages for further information on the research conducted at these sites plus contact details for the Centre leads.
This is the most common type of glioma in both adults and children. Astrocytomas are glial cell tumours that are derived from connective tissue cells called astrocytes. These cells can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord.
Astrocytomas are the most common type of childhood brain tumour. They are generally subdivided into high-grade or low-grade tumours, with high-grade astrocytomas being the most malignant of all brain tumours.
Anaplastic astrocytoma (also called grade 3 astrocytoma) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM or grade 4 astrocytoma) are the most common brain tumours in adults. These are malignant brain gliomas. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the brain.
A Grade 4 astrocytoma is also called glioblastoma multiforme or GBM. This is a high grade tumour which tends to grow and spread quite quickly. It is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumour in adults, accounting for 52% of all primary brain tumour cases.
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a specific type of brain tumour which is one of a larger group referred to as brainstem gliomas. They are located within the brainstem which is the point at which the spinal cord enters into the brain.
DIPG usually occurs in children between 5-7 years of age and makes up 10-15% of all brain tumours in young children. The cancer cells infiltrate the surrounding nerves and are very difficult to remove surgically. Therefore, the treatment that is currently available is very limited.
The standard therapy for DIPG is six weeks of radiation therapy, which usually improves the symptoms, but only in the short term. Studies have shown that existing chemotherapy provides little improvement, although clinical studies are planned to assess the potential use of chemotherapy in combination with other drugs.
The average overall survival of children diagnosed with DIPG is approximately 9 months and less than 10% of children with DIPG survive beyond two years from diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
Lack of facial control (droopy eyelids)
Double vision
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Seizures
Balance problems
The symptoms can develop slowly and subtly and may go unnoticed for months. In other cases, the symptoms may arise abruptly. A sudden onset of more than one symptom tends to occur with more rapidly growing tumours.
Brain stem gliomas are particularly difficult to treat, whatever their grade. The brain stem is such a complicated and delicate part of the brain that completely removing the tumour is usually not possible. Unfortunately, high doses of radiotherapy are not recommended either as this may cause too much damage to the normal brain stem.
Brain stem glioma occurs most commonly in children between five and 10 years old. This is usually in the form of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Most brain stem tumours develop in the pons and grow in a part of the brain stem where it can be difficult to perform surgery, making brain stem glioma challenging to treat.
Brain stem glioma accounts for approximately 15% of childhood brain tumours.
An acoustic neuroma (or vestibular schwannoma) is a brain tumour which is benign and in most (but not all) cases usually slow growing. The cells that form an acoustic neuroma are called 'schwann' cells, and make up the lining of the eighth cranial nerve as it passes through a tiny canal which connects the inner ear to the brain. Unknown events lead to an overproduction of schwann cells and as they multiply, they form a small tumour which fills the canal. As the tumour expands, it extends into the brain, assuming a pear shape and putting pressure on the nerves and brain.
The diagnosis of acoustic neuroma is usually made after a patient reports one-sided hearing loss, balance problems or tinnitus and the appropriate tests are carried out to locate the cause. CT and MRI scans are used to make the final diagnosis.
Acoustic neuromas are found most often in older people.
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. A lymphoma is a cancerous tumour of the lymph cells, which are part of the body's immune system and help to fight infection.
Some lymphomas in the head will have spread from lymphomas in other parts of the body. Lymphomas may also start in the brain and are called primary CNS lymphomas. Most of those affecting the brain are high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The most common site for a CNS lymphoma is the cerebrum, but it can also spread to other parts of the brain.
It is common for more than one tumour to be present.
These tumours develop in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is close to the pituitary gland. They are most often diagnosed in children, teenagers and young adults and account for around 10% of brain tumours in young people, although they can be diagnosed in people of any age. As with most brain tumours, the main treatment is surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, if it is solid. Some tumours are filled with fluid (cystic) and these cannot usually be completely removed. Children with craniopharyngioma can have weight gain and growth problems.
Within the brain and spinal cord, there are nerve cells and also cells that support and protect the nerve cells. The supporting cells are called glial cells. A tumour of these cells is known as a glioma.
Ependymomas are a rare type of glioma. They develop from the ependymal cells which line the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces in the brain), and from the central canal of the spinal cord. They can be found in any part of the brain or spine, and in children are more common in the cerebellum.
Ependymomas may occasionally spread from the brain to the spinal cord in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.
People of all ages can develop ependymomas, including children. Tumours at the base of the brain, in an area called the posterior fossa, are more common in children. About 1 in 20 brain tumours (5%) is an ependymoma.
Most brain tumours are named after the type of cells from which they develop. A haemangioblastoma tumour is formed from cells that line the blood vessels, at an early stage of their development. It is almost always a benign tumour, which may be like a cyst (a fluid-filled area), and more than one tumour may be present.
Haemangioblastomas are usually found in the cerebellum, at the back of the brain. They are commonly slow-growing tumours and do not spread to other parts of the brain.
Haemangioblastomas can be found in adults and children, and mostly occur as part of a rare hereditary condition known as von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). Only 2 out of every 100 brain tumours (2%) are this type.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and sometimes lymphoma can start in the brain. This is called primary cerebral lymphoma. They are more likely to be diagnosed in people with poor immunity either because they have had an organ transplant or because they have AIDS. Lymphoma are treated differently to other types of brain tumour.
These occur in the cerebellum and are always high grade malignant tumours. They are one of the two most common brain tumours in children (the other being an astrocytoma in the cerebellum). Medulloblastoma are most common in children between the ages of three and eight and are slightly more common in boys than girls. They can also occur in adults but are extremely rare.
A meningioma is a tumour of the meninges, the thin sheets of body tissue inside the skull which help to protect the brain. These are called the meninges and they help to provide a protective lining for the brain and spinal cord. It can occur in any part of the brain or spinal cord, but the most common sites are at the surface of the brain, either over the top or at the skull base. They are usually benign (not cancerous).
Some meningiomas are ‘a-typical’. This means that they behave more aggressively than normally expected for meningiomas. They can grow into surrounding brain tissue and may come back after they have been removed.
About 1 in 4 primary brain tumours in adults (25%) is a meningioma. They are more common in older people and in women. They are most often found in the forebrain or hindbrain. They are usually benign (not cancerous).
Most brain tumours are named after the cells from which they develop. Within the brain there are nerve cells and also cells that support and protect the nerve cells. The supporting cells are called glial cells. A tumour of these cells is known as a glioma.
Astrocytomas, ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas are all types of glioma. They are named after the cells from which they grow: astrocytes, ependymal cells and oligodendrocytes.
A mixed glioma is a malignant tumour that contains more than one of these cell types, for example, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This type of mixed glioma is referred to as an oligo-astrocytoma and shows characteristics of both these tumours.
The most common site for a mixed glioma is the cerebrum, the main part of the brain. Like other malignant tumours, it may spread to other parts of the brain.
Although mixed gliomas are more common in adults, they can occur in children. For unknown reasons, they are more common in men than women.
Oligodendroglioma is a type of glioma and develops from cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the fatty covering of nerve cells. This type of tumour is normally found in the cerebrum, particularly in the frontal or temporal lobes.
Oligodendrogliomas can be one of two types:- a well-differentiated tumour, which grows slowly, or an anaplastic oligodendroglioma, which grows more quickly.
Although this type of tumour is more common in adults, it can occur in children. For unknown reasons, it is more common in men than in women.
Only 1 in every 100 brain tumours (1%) are pineal tumours.
The pineal gland is found at the back of the third ventricle of the brain. Ventricles are fluid-filled spaces within the brain.
Pineal-region tumours can be made up of different types of cells. The most common type of tumour in the pineal region is known as a germinoma or germ cell tumour. Germinomas develop from germ cells (cells in a very early stage of development). They are fast-growing and may often spread to other parts of the brain.
Other types of pineal tumour include: astrocytomas, teratomas, meningiomas, pineocytomas and pineoblastomas.
Although this type of tumour is more common in adults, it can occur in children. For unknown reasons, it is more common in men than in women.
The pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea, is located just under the brain where it lies in a small hollow in the skull, just below the eye. It is responsible for controlling the production of certain hormones by other organs in the body including the thyroid gland, ovaries and testes. It also directly produces other factors which have direct effects on blood pressure, kidney function and the regulation of pain.
The majority of the tumours, called adenomas, are benign and do not spread to other parts of the brain but remain within the gland. Because the pituitary gland has such varied functions, a tumour can be difficult to identify as the symptoms will differ between patients. They may also be similar to symptoms due to changes in the levels of the hormones which it controls. However, in addition to scanning, the presence of the tumour can also be confirmed in some cases by measuring the levels of specific hormones within the blood.
Depending on the exact location within the pituitary gland as well as the size, the tumour may also give rise to other symptoms. These include problems with vision, such as blurring, due to the pressure of the tumour on the eye.
The standard treatment is surgery to remove the tumour followed by chemotherapy to kill any of the remaining tumour cells. However, one of the potential side effects of tumour removal is that the pituitary gland is no longer able to make hormones. People may then be required to take hormone supplements to bring these back to normal levels.
These tumours develop from cells that are left over from the earliest development of the body in the womb. Normally these cells are harmless, but sometimes they can become cancerous. PNETs are very similar to medulloblastomas and mainly occur in children, but are also diagnosed in young adults. The tumours are fast-growing, normally growing in the cerebellum, and can spread to other parts of the brain and to the spinal cord through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain, to down inside the bones of the backbone, which is also known as the spine or the spinal column. The spinal cord does not extend the full length of the spinal column, but ends in the small of the back (the lumbar area).
Intramedullary tumours are located within the nerves of the spinal cord. There are several different types of cancer of the spinal cord, but the most common are astrocytomas and ependymomas and these are most common in children.
Intradural extramedullary tumours start inside the coverings of the spinal cord, but outside the cord itself. Meningiomas and nerve-sheath tumours, such as schwannomas, are the most common types of intradural extramedullary spinal tumour and most often are diagnosed in adults.
This is a very rare but fast-growing tumour of the central nervous system which usually occurs in childhood. It can occur anywhere in the brain or the spinal cord and the symptoms vary according to its location, thus making it more difficult to diagnose.
AT/RT is responsible for around 3% of paediatric brain tumours. The tumour can be associated with mutations in a specific gene and these changes can occur spontaneously or be inherited. However, reports to date of the tumour in more than one family member are extremely rare. We don’t know what this gene does but some research is being done to find out more and identify any possible therapies.
AT/RT is a very difficult tumour to treat and, unfortunately, the outcomes remain poor. In general, older children with AT/RT tend to do better than young children. Cure rates for children over 3 are about 70%, while cure rates for children younger than 3 remain below 10%.
However, recent studies have reported that patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT had remission for 60-72 months after treatment with a specific combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Clinical trials are being carried out to assess the best combination.
We understand that not everyone has a Facebook account or there will be those that wish to donate in cash and that’s no problem! You can still collect donations from those who wish to donate in a different way.
In your digital fundraising pack, which you can download here: https://bit.ly/J2622FP you will have access to an offline donations form (sponsorship form). This is a great tool to carry with you to collect on the spot donations. Any offline donations will be added to your overall fundraising total at the end of your challenge and count towards reaching that £274 target to get your FREE special medal.
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Please ensure your name and Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge are always quoted as a reference so we can add these funds to your total.
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To do this, when donating via the paying in page here https://bit.ly/J2622PAYIN we require you and your donors to reference your name and the Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge in the comments box so our finance team can allocate them correctly. If this is done, our finance team will be able to attribute your offline donations along with your Facebook Fundraiser to give you a combined final total at the end of your challenge. Don’t forget – if you raise £274 or more in donations (both via Facebook and offline) you will receive a FREE special medal in June.
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