Brain Tumour Research proudly launches its fifth Research Centre of Excellence today, dedicated to finding better treatments and facilitating clinical trials for glioblastoma patients.
The Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence is the result of a game-changing collaboration between our Charity and Glasgow-based Beatson Cancer Charity, which will see £2.4 million of funding granted over five years in the fight to find a cure.
Based at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, led by Professor Steven Pollard and Professor Anthony Chalmers, the new Centre will bring together the UK’s largest group of multidisciplinary glioblastoma researchers to bridge the gap between promising new discoveries and patient benefit.
This brings renewed hope to the 3,200 people a year in the UK who are diagnosed with this high-grade, aggressive tumour type, which has an average prognosis of 12-18 months. The complexity, diversity and rapid growth of glioblastoma tumours make it difficult to develop treatments, which haven’t changed for 20 years.
Attendees at today’s launch include our Patron and Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in June 2022, and Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland’s Political Editor (pictured above with Theo), who was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma in summer 2023 and has raised more than £200,000 to fund the Scottish Research Centre.
Having recently started her second round of chemotherapy following regrowth of her tumour, Theo said: “My current situation is scary and I’m daunted by what lies ahead, but this new Centre is giving myself and other people affected by brain tumours some tangible hope.”
This fifth Centre is another major milestone in our journey to fund seven Research Centres to find a cure for all types of brain tumours. Dan Knowles, our CEO, said: “Today is hugely significant for the brain tumour community in Scotland who, thanks to their generous support, have helped make the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence a reality.”
Gillian Hailstones, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “This new Centre brings together exceptional expertise from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and we are confident it will lead to significant progress in tackling the complexities of brain tumours and developing innovative treatments in the years ahead.”
Funding of the Scottish Research Centre and our other four Centres relies upon the generous donations and fundraising efforts of our supporters. To help fund the fight for a cure, please consider making a donation. Big or small, you will be making a difference.
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Published Tuesday 28ᵗʰ January 2025.