Fight to find brain tumour cure under threat

Arsalan Ali

2 min read

Brain Tumour Research is facing a 50% loss of its annual income over the next three months because of the coronavirus.

The charity is bracing itself for a potential £2 million drop in income and warning of dire consequences for research to help improve patient outcomes and, ultimately, find a cure.

Spokesman Hugh Adams said: “We fear this unprecedented public health crisis means charities are facing losses running into millions of pounds. Brain Tumour Research is looking at a potential 50% loss in annual income over the next three months.

“This equates to £2 million. The coronavirus pandemic has so far seen the postponement of the Virgin Money London Marathon along with many other challenge events. We are doing all we can to mitigate against further potential loss of income for Wear A Hat Day which is our biggest annual fundraiser taking place on Friday 27 March.

“This is a massive financial hit for us and could mean that charity funded research into brain tumours will stop and the vital progress we have made so far will be lost. This pandemic demonstrates to us all the importance of science and we now need people’s support more than ever before.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated Centres in the UK; it also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

Brain Tumour Research is mobilising its team – now home-based in line with the latest Downing Street advice – to encourage Wear A Hat Day event organisers to adapt to changing circumstances and adapt their fundraising plans.

Hugh said: “We know that our supporters are a very committed bunch and it is heart- warming to see examples coming through where people are coming up with ideas on how they can still wear hats and raise money. We’re working round the clock to contact people to let them know we are still here, we are still fighting and to come up with ideas on how we can work with them to keep the income coming in.”