A number of families yesterday visited the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Cancer Research after each fundraising at least £2,740 – the cost of a day of research at one of our Centres. Poignantly, commemorative plaques were also unveiled in memory of two young lives lost to brain cancer.
Led by Chris Jones, Professor of Childhood Brain Tumour Biology, the Centre of Excellence in Sutton, London, is focused on finding and testing new treatment options for paediatric brain tumours.
Among those touring the labs were the parents of Finlay Church, who was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma and died after 17 months, at the age of 11. Since his death, his mother Penny and her family have worked tirelessly alongside Brain Tumour Research, campaigning for more money to fund research to find a cure and better treatment for those facing this devastating disease.
Finlay Church (left) and George Fox (right)
In addition to a plaque in recognition of the more than £180,000 that has been raised in Finlay's name, Penny and Wayne placed 56 tiles at the Centre’s Wall of Hope, each tile representing a day of funded research.
The parents of George Fox, known as Gorgeous George, also attended the lab tour. After losing their son George at 13 to an aggressive brain tumour, Louise and Matt have campaigned and fundraised in aid of Brain Tumour Research to find kinder treatments for the disease.
As a result of the more than £136,000 they have raised for research since 2022, the pair saw the bespoke plaque in recognition of their efforts – in addition, they placed 45 individual tiles representing each day of research they have funded. Louise said: "As we approach what would have been George’s 17th birthday, we feel utterly heartbroken without him.
"We’re incredibly proud that George's army of supporters and loved ones have raised more than £130,000 in his memory to support the pioneering work at the Institute of Cancer Research. Visiting Professor Chris Jones and his remarkable team was both inspiring and emotional – their dedication gives us hope that one day no family will have to face the devastation of losing a child to a brain tumour."
We are incredibly grateful to all those who give generously to us. We remain committed to funding sustainable research into brain tumours, in the hope of one day finding a cure for this devastating disease. Click here if you would like to make a one-off donation, or set up a monthly gift.
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