Television and radio star, Debbie McGee has joined Brain Tumour Research as Patron, 10 years after losing her husband, the magician Paul Daniels, to a glioblastoma.
Debbie has been supporting our work over the past decade and now joins us formally as Patron as she marks 50 years in showbusiness.
Debbie on the BBC Breakfast sofa talking about becoming Patron of Brain Tumour Research
She said: “I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to become Patron of Brain Tumour Research. After this disease tore through my life, I began campaigning with the charity, which has done so much to highlight the injustice faced by patients and their families, creating a growing sense of momentum so now, finally, there is hope. Thanks to more than a decade of determined campaigning, things have started to change, and it has been heartening to recently see brain tumours included in the National Cancer Plan and the Rare Cancers Act become enshrined in law.
“These are important milestones that bring us hope because brain cancer treatments haven't changed in the 10 years since I lost Paul and that is shocking. This disease devastates so many lives, particularly young lives, but research is woefully underfunded. We’ve seen dramatic improvements in survival rates for other cancers, but so much more needs to be done and I’m determined to help change the story for brain tumour patients now and in the future.
“Thanks to Brain Tumour Research, there is greater awareness and funding but much more needs to be done to get research out of the lab and into patients in the clinic. It’s important to me to campaign on behalf of all those people who are facing and will face a diagnosis. They deserve more – more treatments, more clinical trials, more time with their loved ones.
Debbie and Paul
Paul’s early symptoms began at the end of 2015, when he began suffering lethargy and dizzy spells. He was initially treated for anaemia, but Debbie noticed her husband’s “bubbly” personality change and his symptoms worsen and took him for further medical appointments. On 12th February 2016 Paul was diagnosed with a glioblastoma – the most aggressive and commonly diagnosed form of brain cancer that usually comes with a prognosis of just 12 to 18 months. But the TV star, who won many accolades including the coveted Golden Rose of Montreux, was given just two months to live.
“In the end, we had just one month and five days,” said Debbie. “The tumour was too advanced and there was nothing to be done. Time was short. Without hesitation, I made arrangements for Paul to come home and to care for him myself. I wanted him to be as happy and comfortable as possible.”
Paul died at home on 17th March 2016, aged 77, with Debbie holding his hand.
On Saturday 26th September, Debbie will step forward to lead our flagship Walk of Hope at Chatsworth, to help raise awareness of the vital need for more research funding to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
She said: “I’m deeply honoured to be leading the Walk of Hope at Chatsworth, and I’m looking forward to walking in solidarity with other members of this incredible community and sharing our experiences with one another. Paul will be in my thoughts with every step we take and, come rain or shine, laughter or tears, it’s bound to be an uplifting event to be a part of. If you’ve been affected in any way by a brain tumour diagnosis, come and join us at Chatsworth as we walk together in hope and remembrance.”
Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are delighted to welcome Debbie as our new Patron. By lending us her voice, Debbie will amplify our calls for governments and other charities to increase the national spend on brain tumours. We are grateful for the support she has shown Brain Tumour Research over the last decade and look forward in anticipation of what we can achieve together to drive the much-needed change which brain tumour patients and their families so desperately deserve.”
Join Debbie and hundreds of others as we step out for our Walk of Hope at Chatsworth and raise vital funds and awareness to help find a cure for brain tumours. Register today.
Or you can do your walk, your way wherever you are and help us change the story for brain tumour patients and their loved ones across the UK. Find out more.
Related reading:
