Brain Tumour Research

Ride4 Simon, is an annual cycling event that took place on the 4th and 5th August, and covered nearly 250 kilometres of the County Cork countryside. The eight-strong team was put together in memory of Simon Oldacres, who in 2013, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM). He sadly died in December 2016, leaving his wife Sophie and two young children Joseph and Esther (photographed below).
The team included Simon’s brother David, as well as Simon’s wife Sophie. They have smashe...d their original target of £5,000 raising more than £10,000. Last September, Ride4Simon raised an awesome £16,000!
Sophie told us: “Simon was a keen cyclist, and, post-diagnosis, a good cycle was his equivalent to counselling. He rode a significant distance to many of his hospital appointments, which was always recorded in the oncologist’s notes because it was so unusual.
“As friends and family of Simon we know how shattering a diagnosis of a brain tumour still is, and we hope this ride has the potential to make a real difference so that there might one day be real hope for others given the news they have brain cancer.
“Building on what we achieved last September with the first Ride4Simon, this year we wanted to head to County Cork, a place that was so special to Simon throughout his life and a fitting venue for this challenge.”
If you would like to donate towards their efforts, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ri de4Simon2018
Pictured below is Sophie, Joseph and Esther.
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Last week on a family holiday our Head of National PR, Hugh Adams, had a chance to visit Dartmoor Zoo whose CEO is Benjamin Mee.
“We all had a fabulous time and I really recommend it as a day out for anyone in the area. I had also been with Benjamin and his son Milo earlier this summer when they came on a tour of our research centre of excellence at the University of Plymouth.” Benjamin’s wife Katherine died from her brain tumour in March 2007 and Benjamin opened the zoo in J...uly of the same year.
The family’s story was made into the movie “We Bought A Zoo “with Benjamin being played by Matt Damon.
Benjamin told us “As an ambassador for Brain Tumour Research I am able to raise awareness of this disease and the catastrophic effect it can have on young families however I am also able to observe the progress being made both at Westminster and in Plymouth. The research led here by Professor Hanemann and his team into low grade tumours is inspirational and I am delighted to do what I can to help raise funds for an area that even in the world of brain tumours has been underfunded.”
You can read Katherine’s story on our website: http://bit.ly/2MONKje
(Pictured below is Benjamin with Kevin the Boa Constrictor).
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Wenna Pietrantonio, is running the Great North Run to raise money to help fund research into brain tumours. Wenna is motivated to take part after her husband, Franco was diagnosed with a large low-grade tumour after suffering a seizure in October 2016. After having surgery, Franco has epilepsy and now needs regular scans to monitor the tumour’s growth.
Wenna told us: “Franco is one of the lucky ones to have come through the other side. When I researched about the lack of fund...ing for research into brain tumours, I was shocked. It is simply not enough! After training hard for the event, I'm going to do my very best to run 13 miles as quickly as I can and raise as much money as possible for Brain Tumour Research.”
Wenna will be among thousands of runners taking part in the Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon. This year’s event takes place on 9th September, with runners taking their marks in Newcastle city centre before setting off on the 13.1-mile course and finishing at the coast in South Shields. A team of 42 will be taking part and raising money for us! Donate towards Wenna’s JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/we nna-pietrantonio2
Photographed below is Franco and Wenna.
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When you are diagnosed with a brain tumour, the impact on you and those around you is immense. For the Realf family, their response to losing their son Stephen to this dreadful disease was to start an online petition asking the UK Government for more money to be invested in brain tumour research. Working together, we helped them to get over 120,000 signatures, and the petition resulted in a parliamentary debate on the funding of brain tumour research in the UK.
A Task and Fin...ish Working Group, chaired by Chris Whitty (Department of Health and Social Care Chief Scientific Advisor), was established in 2016 as a direct result of a parliamentary debate. A report by the group was published in February 2018, and it identified significant opportunities for the brain tumour and neuroscience communities to work in partnership.
In response to the report, Brain Tumour Research, the MRC and the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) are jointly organising a workshop entitled “Joining forces for greater impact” to bring together the neurosciences and brain tumour research communities.
Read more about this exciting event here http://bit.ly/2P8uxKV
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Vanessa Fewell, 42, was told she had an astrocytoma brain tumour in February 2016, when her children Ella, Harry and Sophia were all under the age of 12. She underwent surgery and then had to endure gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment which only finished just before Christmas 2017.
Vanessa’s sister Annabel Gallifant, 41, took part in the Virgin Money London Marathon back in April in support of her sister and has raised more than £4,400!
Annabel said: “Vanessa ...has been such an inspiration. It has been an incredibly difficult time for her and her family, particularly as they live in the sticks and, having had brain surgery, she has had to give up her driving licence. It has had a massive impact on family life and has made it much more challenging getting her to hospital appointments in London. Despite it all, Vanessa remains determined to get on with her life, despite an uncertain future.”
Vanessa added: “Anna is amazing. She has a demanding job and two young children and yet she still found the time and energy to fit in all the training and fundraising.
“We have received the most phenomenal support from our friends and family. I dearly hope her marathon effort will take us one step closer to the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Thank you to everyone for helping us raise awareness and vital funds for such an underfunded and cruel disease.”
Have you been inspired to run the Virgin Money London Marathon and want to find out more about how you could join our team, please go to: http://bit.ly/2OCDV8e. Photographed below is Annabel (left) and Vanessa (right) at the finish line of the London Marathon.
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Mother of four, Mel Mirza (left) pictured with her sister, Nikki, is one of life’s carers, whether looking after her family or working as a care giver for the elderly. She is by nature calm and so when diagnosed with stress she thought there was more to her symptoms than that. A devastating brain tumour diagnosis was to follow.
Mel remains positive and upbeat and constantly searches out information on new medical and dietary progress. Recently alongside, Nikki, she visited o...ur Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London and continues to raise awareness of this disease and the need for more research funding.
She is a tremendous character who we are proud to have on our team and we salute her courage in telling her story to today’s Daily Mirror. Read the article and more about Mel's story here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/…/…/mum-who- kept-waking-up-12934137
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It seemed nothing would tear childhood sweethearts Sandra and Alan May apart. After 30 years of married life, they were given the devastating news that Alan had a highly aggressive brain tumour. Just 10 months later, in August 2016, he passed away, leaving his parents, sister, wife, two sons and three granddaughters. Now facing life without her soulmate, Sandra has run a fete in memory of her husband for the past three years, alongside a football tournament organised by her s...on, Shane, and has helped to raise over £5,400 for us.
Alan’s wife, Sandra, told us: “My grieving process began as soon as Alan was diagnosed. It felt like somebody had ripped my heart out and, when I look back, the whole period was a total blur. It seemed as if I was on standby. My life was completely out of control, but I had to stay strong and put on a brave face for Alan. In the final days I had to agree to Alan’s wish, to stop treatment, so that he could pass peacefully away. It felt like an eternity but it was the last act of love.”
Here is Alan’s story: https://www.braintumourresearch.org/…/i n-our-hear…/alan-may…
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Our supporter Louise Balloch took on the arduous Race to the Stones. The endurance race, which finishes at the Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire, all in support of her mum, Karen, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2015.
Louise told us: “While my mum was ill, she was told she should not be running alone, something which she loved doing. This is when I stepped up and went on my first jog and now it seems only right that to have taken part in a running event to rais...e money for this worthy cause.”
Also joining Louise on the challenge was Luke Reeves. Luke’s nan, Lyn Reeves-Wright, from Birmingham was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2017 after suffering a minor stroke and sadly died just weeks later, aged 71.
Luke added: “My nan was an incredible woman who fought a brave battle. Though I miss her more than anything in the world, raising awareness for this vital cause is so important to ensure other families don’t have to go through the same thing. We went through a million emotions during the run but were incredibly proud of our achievements.”
To donate to their efforts go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lo uise-balloch
Photographed below is Louise (left) and Karen (right).
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For police officer Stuart Parker, retirement began in a completely different way to how he had imagined. The 53-year-old was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in December 2017 but despite several disappointments along the way, Stuart is ‘focusing on living’ with his wife Samantha, children and grandchildren.
Stuart’s wife, Sam, told us: “The financial implications of Stuart’s diagnosis have been huge. I had to resign from my teaching job to care for Stuar...t, as such our income halved immediately and we had to cash in our life insurances and downsize our house. We also have to fundraise constantly to enable Stuart to have a good quality of life which has had a huge impact on us; prior to this we were a really private family but now we feel like we’re selling a bit of ourselves to get by.”
Here is Stuart’s story: http://bit.ly/2OZVEb1
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On the 29th July, our supporter, Sarah Hopkins completed Prudential RideLondon in support of her dad and four friends that passed away from brain tumours. Sarah’s dad, Geoff Hopkins, died six months after being diagnosed with the disease.
Sarah said: “I was so nervous ahead of RideLondon but I’m thrilled to have done it. Raising money for research into brain tumours means so much to me and I’m proud to have completed the event in memory of my friends and my dear Dad. The event was 17 years to the day Dad passed, which made it all the more emotional for me. I’ve fundraised over £1,400 so far and I hope to be able to add to my total in the coming days.”
Huge congratulations to Sarah on her challenge! If you would like to donate towards her efforts please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sa rah-hopkins9

Today is National Book Lover’s Day! You may have recently seen that we have updated our Recommended Reading list over on our website.
After listening to our brain tumour community, we know that sometimes a book can help you to cope, to learn more about brain tumours, to discover other people’s stories and find inspiration in their words.
We’ve summarised the books on our website and provided a link to where you can buy them online: http://bit.ly/2ATB0Gg
... Comment a book you love that has helped you below.
Photographed below is 'The Finch in My Brain: How I forgot how to read but found how to live' by Martino Sclavi
Martino Said: "I have a Finch on the left side of my brain, and no matter what happens along the way, I know that it will help me to fly and transform all my handicaps into new ways of seeing and narrating the comedy and drama of everyday life."
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Friends, family and supporters came together in Canary Wharf on Monday 6th August for the official launch of one of our new Fundraising Groups, Power of David (PoD).
The group has been inspired by David Hetherington, a dad-of-two who passed away in November 2016 from a glioblastoma, the group launched on what would have been his 41st birthday.
David’s wife, Shaz Hetherington, spoke of David’s unique ability to leave a lasting impression – what she calls his superpower – and h...er desire to continue his legacy and help fund the fight against brain tumours.
PoD and its associated events will be run by an army of volunteers, or PoDsters, with the first event being the David Hetherington Memorial Walk of Hope on Saturday 29th September. If you would like to register for this event, please go to: http://bit.ly/2B0GShk
Photographed below is David's family.
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It is a little-known fact that over half of the UK population don’t have a Will. This September we will take part in Remember A Charity Week to promote just how important it is to have a Will.
Many charities in the UK rely on people leaving a gift in their Will; it provides sustainability for their work. At Brain Tumour Research we’re very thankful to those of you who pledge to support us in this way.
During Remember A Charity Week, we’ll be organising a special Gifts in Wil...ls event where you’ll be able to find out more about our pioneering research taking place at our Centre of Excellence in the University of Portsmouth.
You’ll also have a unique opportunity to learn about the work being done and how a gift in your Will could significantly speed up the progress in what scientists are calling the last battleground against cancer.
If you’re interested in coming to this or future Gifts in Wills events, or have any questions about writing or changing your Will, please get in touch with our Gifts in Wills Manager, Gary Kelly (pictured), via email: legacy@braintumourresearch.org
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Paul was a fitness instructor and personal trainer who focused on rehabilitating cancer and cardiac patients. He was also a gorgeous husband to Julie. In April 2017 he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 (GBM). Less than a year later, Paul passed away. Julie will never get over his loss. He was only 54 years old and had so much to do and look forward to.
Paul’s, wife Julie, told us: “There is growing evidence that brain tumours are on the increase and the type ...of tumour Paul had is progressively hitting a younger age group. Life expectancy and quality of life are particularly viciously compromised by GBMs.”
Here is Paul’s story as told by his wife, Julie: http://bit.ly/2AdDY8r
Photographed below are Julie and Paul on their wedding day.
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Great coverage for our supporter Sophie Oldacres and her Ride4Simon including this in the Mail Online http://www.dailymail.co.uk/…/Widow-s-cy cling-feat-aims-boos…

In memory of her mum Becky, last September seven-year-old Phoebe Hope Vines completed the Grand Union Canal Walk, an 11 mile walk along the Grand Union Canal in Leighton Buzzard. Phoebe was part of a nine-strong team including her grandparents, Claire and Steve and together they raised more than £2,500, almost enough to fund a day of research.
Grandmother Claire said: “Phoebe’s energy is a great source of strength to us. She decided to walk the whole way saying she was ‘doin...g it for Mummy’. Becky was an inspiration and always so positive and it is such a comfort to see how much of her wonderful personality she has passed on to Phoebe. Although she misses her mummy desperately she is determined to do her bit.”
Becky was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour at the age of 23 and given just a year to live. She underwent surgery and years of treatment, losing her fight in June 2017 at the age of 31.
Today we are pleased to announce that we have launched six new ‘Walks of Hope’. If Phoebe has inspired you to take part, please go to: http://bit.ly/2mKX2Br
Photographed below are Claire and Phoebe.
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“Looking back, the surgery was the easy part. I had no idea then how much support I would need as a patient and how different my life was about to become...”
Brian Rockell worked in the healthcare industry for decades, but even so when he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, aged 68, he was shocked by the distressing experience of brain tumour patients. Although facing his own anxieties and challenges, Brian is now determined to campaign for, and support, those affected by this devastating disease.
Read Brian’s story here: http://bit.ly/2AiCObw

A great way to get your organisation involved in supporting Brain Tumour Research is by encouraging them to take part in one of our new Corporate Challenge events.
These challenge events offer a fantastic win-win opportunity for any company taking part – as an employee you will be inspired by the chance to join something novel and exciting as well as the feel-good factor that comes with supporting a vital cause, and as an employer you will benefit by building loyalty as well ...as teamwork and camaraderie.
We’re pleased to offer a choice of four fantastic new adventures, three in the UK and one in China.
Have you got what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Bear Grylls has organised a survival challenge, you have to reach your extraction point for rescue before the deadline!
“Everything I have learnt about business was first learnt from the wild – trust, risk management, going that extra mile, dynamic teamwork, & honest communication. There is nothing like trying to light a fire or cross a river to force you to re-engage some left-brain initiative and right brain ‘calm in the storm.” Bear Grylls
Are you ready to test yourself against this iconic 225 km Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge? The riders will depart from West Cumbria, Whitehaven and culminates at the North Sea at Whitley Bay.
What about taking part in the Snowdon Triple Challenge? Climb, bike and kayak in this extraordinary Welsh mountain challenge.
We have also got places in the Great Wall Discovery Challenge, an epic nine-day trek along the Great Wall of China.
The idea that your organisation could invest in this powerful cause – supporting our world-class research into brain tumours, offering hope to the thousands diagnosed and living with a brain tumour every year – is a motivational opportunity too good to miss!
All our Corporate Challenges are looked after by our Michele Gray, our dedicated Head of Corporate Fundraising. Michele will personally follow up with all companies expressing interest to discuss further details and will also be delighted to help you engage your organisation.
Event dates vary but begin in September 2018. Further dates will become available. There's more information on our website: http://bit.ly/2A8xdo8
Michele is also available to offer advice and support and help you engage your organisation - you can contact her directly via email: michele.gray@braintumourresearch.org
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Today is National Mountain Climbing Day and we are celebrating our brilliant supporter Jenny Lambert. When Jenny was diagnosed with a brain tumour, her dream of climbing Blencathra in the Lake District was suddenly put on hold. Jenny’s diagnosis came following a series of vision problems and although doctors initially suspected a stroke, the cause was a grade four brain tumour.
Jenny then underwent emergency surgery to remove the majority of the tumour followed by radiothera...py and chemotherapy. Now, just 18 months on from her diagnosis and aged 61, Jenny has regained her strength and conquered Blencathra.
Jenny told us: “Blencathra towers over our small holiday cottage and to be able to look at it now and think, ‘I’ve climbed that’, gives me a huge sense of achievement.
“Despite temperatures hitting 30 degrees, 20 of us and eight dogs reached the top. It was a severe challenge but it was so satisfying and enjoyable to achieve it. We all celebrated with champagne at the top!”
Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, stands at 2,848ft tall, making it the fifth highest mountain in the Lake District.
Jenny continued: “Discovering I had a brain tumour was devastating but the excellent care I’ve received at Hull Royal Infirmary has spurred me on to give something back. More research is needed into brain tumours and I’m anxious to help improve the outcomes for people going through the same experience as I have. I’ve raised over £4,000 so far but I want to continue doing whatever I can.”
If you would like to donate to Jenny’s page, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/je nny-lambert1
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hi every one. i am Rejina Yusuf im working as a International Cancer Conference Organizer. After seeing all reviews im un happy that Brain tumor has to be terminated. Doctors who are all working on this brain tumor my appreciations and all the best. Please do ask me for any kind of help like attending the International Conferences etc. I am happy to help you with it. Because this is what i Can do from my side for now being Program Manager. Thank you soo much.

You do so much to help people with brain tumours and much more research is needed respect to everyone x

Together with my fellow Saga travellers in New Zealand we held an impromptu Wear a Hat Night, and together raised £110.82 in memory of my late husband, David Cornthwaite. Such a worthy cause. Thank you for all you do.

Shame there's not enough funding or research available we need more nurses and doctors who are qualified and more after care needed. With all the cuts that keep happening how are we going to keep going with little money and ignorance

My mother aged 76 has just been diagnosed with a primary high grade fast growing tumour and sadly no treatment will cure� devastating for something that started as confusion and Dr diagnosing UTI . I find this page very helpful and I will now be donating to the cause. I never realised that there was so little given to this cause.

My husband Ian Walsh passed away in august 2015 after fighting a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme. He ad 6 weeks of radiochemotharapy knowin he would die within 9 months..he was so brave through out it all

..i will try my best to support BTR.. Glenda Walsh x

My Happy ending story..... Five years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumour on my cerebellum...5 days later I had surgery,and was lucky that they where able to remove it without damaging my spinal cord. The following months where difficult, I developed hydrocephalus and had several brain haemorrhage. Because of the hydrocephalus I had pools of fluid in my brain ...My neurologist at the Heath Cardiff saved my life with experimental surgery and fitted a shunt....

6months later I was back in full time work.. It was difficult and struggled with my balance, thought process, confusion, and general energy levels. I lost friends on the way....learned who ways loyal....and ended up with better people around me then ever. I couldn't have done it without the Amazing support from my family and brilliance of my surgeon Dr Nannapanini.

thank you �

I have been a volunteer for over four years, and it is an amazing place to be, and doing so much to try to raise funds to fight this awful disease

I attend headway on the 13 April 2012 I had emergency operating for a brain tumour 4CC long,, I when to my Doctor told me it was down to my age lucky on the following day I had a appointment with my optician he took a photo of the back of my eyes he noticed something was wrong got a ambulance took me straight away to my local hospital had a MIR they could not do anything so again sent with emergency ambulance to Glasgow got a emergency operating cut ear to ear still got a small piece of the tumour but I still get MRIs to keep in cheque but that's to my surgeon I have had 6 years but I look at life different

Having a charity night for brain tumour research and finlays journey and can i thank all staff who got my wear a hat day goods to me and i forgot bucket for collecting you were all stars x

Great to see Brain Tumour awarness being highlighted xx

Feeling very humbled reading stories on this page. Myself, my sister and three friends are running the Bristol 10k next Sunday in aid of Brain Tumour research. A charity very close to our hearts, with three family members affected by a brain tumour! We have raised nearly £2000, we can’t believe the kindness of our family and friends.

Excellent idea for the web site. Especially for patients with brain tumor surgery, patients with evidence of brain tumor. I recommend your site to my patients.

Excellent I was a victim of cancer myself please donate for good as much as you can it can save someone Life

At the age of 27 I was operated a positive brain tumour. That operation did not healp me to move easier. What non-traditional medicine would healp me?

Amazing, i dont think we would have had my Mum live for as long as she did before passing without Brain Tumour research xx

A dismal amount is invested in brain tumour research. I am immensely grateful for the treatment I have had and the care of my team at the #Wessex Nurological Centre But am very aware of the paucity of funding for research and the limited knowledge available to forge ahead on developing new treatments.