At a celebration gala dinner last night, held at The Dorchester hotel in London, we launched our incredible Impact Report, showcasing everything that we have achieved in the fight to find a cure for brain tumours.
The impressive document details 15 years of pioneering advancements in research at our Centres of Excellence, outlining the progress we have made in moving towards personalised treatments, repurposing medication, using blood testing in diagnosis, enhancing surgical precision and accelerating the launch of clinical trials for children, to name but a few.
These achievements and more were brought together in a powerful film that was presented on the night, narrated by broadcaster Sarah Beeny, who yesterday we announced as our new Patron.
Sarah’s painful experience of losing her mum, Ann, at the age of 10, to breast cancer that metastasised to her brain and, later, her stepmother, Patricia, also to a brain tumour, resonated in the room, which was filled with more than 300 celebrities and supporters whose lives have been marred by a brain tumour diagnosis.
Amongst the attendees at the lavish black-tie event, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, were our Patrons Caprice Bourret, Pete Waterman OBE and Danny Clarke, as well as Theo Burrell, who gave an impassioned speech about living with a glioblastoma.
TV presenter Davina McCall (pictured above with Theo), actress Dame Sheila Hancock, singer Clare Grogan, and presenter Johnny Vaughan also attended to show their support. They were joined by Qian Zephaniah, the wife of the late Benjamin Zephaniah, poet and activist, who died from a brain tumour, plus Ambassadors Abi Feltham and Sam Suri, both of whom are living with a brain tumour.
Excitement and optimism for all that we can accomplish in the future also filled the room, echoed in a moving film narrated by Sam Suri on the importance of hope.
Patron Alfie Boe OBE closed the evening with an exclusive performance, moving the room with his music as well as memories of his father, Alfred, who he lost to a brain tumour when he was just 23. He invited guests to bid on exclusive tickets to his upcoming concert with Michael Ball, plus a meet and greet, in aid of the Charity.
Alongside bidders vying for Alfie's generous gift, guests pledged donations throughout the night to raise an incredible total of more than £30,000, ensuring that we can keep moving ever closer to a cure.
You can help fund this fight. Please consider donating to Brain Tumour Research, or find out how you can help find a cure.