The daughter of a Fife woman who died from a glioblastoma a decade ago has met with the Scottish Health Minister to discuss the needs of brain tumour patients.
Mirren McFarlane, 24, met with Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence – a game-changing collaboration between Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity. Both charities have committed to £2.4 million of funding over the next five years for the Centre, split between the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, to speed emerging glioblastoma treatments into clinical trials.
The Minister said: “It’s been a huge privilege to meet and learn from experts leading research in brain tumours here in Scotland and to hear directly from Mirren McFarlane about her personal journey. The best way to tackle the cancer crisis is through collaboration – especially with dedicated Third Sector partners like Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity.”
Mirren, who lost her mother Lesley to a glioblastoma in 2015, visited the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence alongside Ms Minto. The 24-year-old said: “I’m in awe of the work being done at the Centre of Excellence, and it means so much to support research that could give someone a better chance than my mum ever had.
“To policymakers, I would say this: research into brain tumours has been underfunded for far too long. We need more investment, more urgency and more belief that change is possible, because lives depend on it.”
Thomas Brayford, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Scotland has a real opportunity to lead the UK in researching brain tumours – but it will take collaboration to get us there. The foundations are in place – the scientists, the facilities and the ambition. But momentum won’t be maintained without public investment. Matching our funding would send a powerful message that the Scottish Government is serious about transforming outcomes for patients and saving lives.”
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