Your stories are vital in helping us to raise awareness and ensure more people than ever know about our vision to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
Throughout November, those stories reached as far and wide as we have ever seen. From celebrity diagnoses to supporter successes, the month ended with a greater national awareness of the need for improved research funding than it began with.
The widespread media coverage was an invaluable boost to our cause, and it is all because of you.
It began with the story of Amy Carr (below left), the former England footballer whose brain tumour was misdiagnosed as arachnophobia. Amy’s incredible story, and her fundraising efforts for us as part of the Dublin Marathon, soon reached regional and national news. Amy spoke with Justin Deely on BBC Three Counties Radio, and made headlines in the Manchester Evening News, the Irish Sun, and the Mirror.
Supporter Heather Sells (below right) was also in the public eye, for taking on our 99 Miles in November challenge. The fitness instructor, who underwent brain tumour surgery alone in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, has since raised over £8,000 for Brain Tumour Research. Her story featured in LancsLive, WalesOnline, and the Sunday Mirror.
Unfortunate news from our Patron Theo Burrell, regarding a scan that showed possible growth of her glioblastoma (GBM), broke early in November. Theo gave a brave and honest interview about her fears that her treatment options may run out, and her health update appeared on many news sites including the Daily Express, the Independent, and the Scottish Sun.
Founder of Fundraising Group Remembering Rayhan Nadia Majid spoke with the BBC’s Matthew Amroliwala about losing her four-year-old son Rayhan to a brain tumour – and the fight to even receive a diagnosis. She also shone light on the desperate need for more research, and you can watch her moving interview on our YouTube channel.
As part of The Lord Mayor’s Show in London on Saturday 9th November, Brain Tumour Research Patron Danny Clarke featured in BBC News reporting of the event. And to mark the announcement of music mogul Pete Waterman OBE as Patron, the father-of-two was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live, sharing the heartbreak of losing his son, Paul (below left), to a brain tumour.
Meanwhile, supporter Colin Miller (below right) featured on BBC News, ITV News, and KentOnline, after he shared an astonishing video of him playing guitar during brain surgery to debulk a GBM.
Stories like these remind us of the immense bravery and resilience that brain tumour patients show.
November also saw the shock announcement that Davina McCall, the beloved TV presenter, was undergoing surgery to remove a colloid cyst brain tumour. Despite the heartbreak, Davina’s accidental diagnosis during a general health exam showcased the urgent need for research into improved detection methods.
As a result of Davina’s story, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, Dr Karen Noble spoke with Jim Diamond on LBC radio, and her comments appeared on many news sites including The Sun, informing readers about the rare tumour type.
BBC Scotland’s political editor Glenn Campbell captured the hearts of the nation with his incredible documentary, My Brain Tumour and Me, which is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Amongst the widespread coverage of his story, Glenn, who has raised more than £155,000 for Brain Tumour Research, was interviewed on BBC Breakfast, alongside our Head of Stakeholder Relations, Hugh Adams, which can also be seen on our YouTube channel.
The story of 18-year-old Jay Kennedy, who had left a final message to his mother Dawn on an iPhone, was featured in GlasgowLive, EdinburghLive, and the Mirror – you can see an interview with Dawn on our YouTube channel. Éireann Sharkey – the popular YouTuber and brain tumour patient – featured in BelfastLive. Éireann took part in 99 Miles in November and has called attention to Brain Tumour Research and our mission on her YouTube channel.
Being able to amplify the voices of brain tumour patients is an honour and a privilege.
We aren’t able to mention every single supporter who featured in the news – there are simply too many. But to all of our supporters and fundraisers, thank you for sharing your stories with us. We are incredibly grateful for your support.
If you would like to find out more about sharing your story with us, send us an email.
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