Brain Tumour Research has actively been campaigning for greater urgency and investment in research into brain tumours as we call on the new Prime Minister and all MPs to ensure scientists have the necessary funding and infrastructure to generate the pipeline of medicines and interventions that brain tumour patients desperately need.
With parliamentarians flocking to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference, we embraced this opportunity to directly engage with MPs and activists, urging Government to address improving diagnosis, reducing bureaucracy and prioritising better patient outcomes.
We met with Chris McDonald, Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment, to discuss the progress we need to change the story for brain tumour patients, including:
- Increasing national investment in research into brain tumours to at least £45 million a year
- Growing a strong UK research ecosystem to turn innovation into better outcomes for patients
- Increasing the number of clinical trials in this country and access to them
Improving outcomes for brain tumour patients requires coordination across Government, particularly between the departments responsible for health and science. We discussed how for too long we have focused on the consequences of brain tumours without sufficiently funding the science that could treat them. Momentum is building and we look forward to working with Minister McDonald to ensure that the Government delivers on its promise to increase survival rates for brain tumour patients.
Minister McDonald with Sam Bromiley
Only 13% of people with brain cancer will survive five years after their diagnosis, compared to 57% for all cancers. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper (pictured top centre) spoke to Sam Bromiley, our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, and acknowledged the need for a greater focus on brain tumours.
Marie-France van Heel, wife of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, showed support by taking time out of her busy schedule to visit our stand, commenting on the impactful campaigning by Archie Goodburn and his dedication to the brain tumour community.
Sam with Mrs van Heel (photo credit: Gus Campbell)
In response to issues impacting brain tumour patients, John McDonnell MP echoed the feeling of many in our community saying, “Enough is enough, we need action now for people with a brain tumour.”
John McDonnell MP
It's your stories and experiences that help us drive change. If you are interested in campaigning with us, email us at campaigning@braintumourresearch.org
Pictured top: Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham and Bletchley with Matthew Sowemimo, our Head of Campaigning and Policy (left), our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Sam Bromiley with Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper (centre) and Sam with Marie-France van Heel (right, photo credit: Gus Campbell).
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