We’re funding world-class research to the tune of £4.8 million over the next five years, because a cure just can’t wait.
As the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours in the world, we’ve committed more than £50 million to forward-thinking research. We won’t let the current challenges, induced by COVID-19, stop our progress.
That’s why we’ve committed a further £4.8 million to critical research, at a time when many other research funds have been paused or withdrawn. We’re the only brain tumour charity that has announced new research funding since lockdown, because now is not the time to stop.
From this September, an extensive round of international research will commence that includes lab-based projects, quality of life research and clinical studies. The research will study high and low grade tumours in children and adults, and will help us understand how brain tumours behave so that we can better classify tumours, identify potential new drug targets and discover improved methods of delivering treatments.
Professor Richard Gilbertson, Chair of The Brain Tumour Charity’s scientific advisory board and Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, said: “COVID-19 has been devastating but today I am delighted to share the great news that The Brain Tumour Charity will be investing millions of pounds in the coming years to find a much needed cure for brain tumours.
“For patients and their loved ones out there, there is no time to waste so I’m delighted that The Brain Tumour Charity has stayed firm and steadfast in its long-term mission to find a cure for brain tumours.
“These diseases are complex and require the best minds in the best institutions to produce the optimal treatments. This money is vital to put in their hands to make sure that we do that.
“The Brain Tumour Charity has an exceptional track record in funding the best science and it’s due to the scientists that work with us every day, to produce the most rigorous reviews, that The Charity has the confidence that it is funding the best research.
“This critical investment will produce a new wave of research to find much-needed cures for brain tumours.”
We know that by committing to this level of investment, in the current climate, we will need to draw on the relentless passion and motivation of our community. Together, with our partners, fundraisers and donors we will raise the money we need to defeat this terrible disease.
Hayley Smith, whose husband Matthew is currently living with a glioblastoma, is an ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity and wants to highlight the importance of The Charity’s new multi-million research investment.
Hayley said: “We urgently need to find new treatments and ultimately a cure as more and more people are being diagnosed with this devastating disease.
“When we asked about treatment options for Matthew when he was diagnosed, our only option was radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Brain tumours are very complex, so to hear that there was only one way to treat it was very unnerving.
“Every time I hear about a new research project and some of the findings, it feels like a positive step towards better treatment options for patients.
“This announcement really means a lot to us and for everyone affected by brain tumours. It is wonderful to see that all of the fundraising that people like ourselves have been doing is worth it, and that it’s being invested in world-class research.
“The Brain Tumour Charity’s commitment to finding a cure is a lifeline to families like ours. Knowing that there are some of the best scientists and researchers developing different treatments gives us a real sense of hope when we ourselves feel so powerless.”
“It really made us feel that maybe, just maybe, a cure can be found in Matthew’s lifetime.”
As the leading brain tumour charity, we will not let the COVID-19 pandemic stop the efforts to find a cure for those affected by a brain tumour.
If, today, each one of our Facebook fans donated £5, we’d raise over half a million pounds which could fund three future research leaders – the smartest scientists that will drive the discoveries we need.
Please donate today to support our never-ceasing drive to fund more research. We will find a cure quicker together.