Brain tumour patients and their loved ones joined our Patron, Caprice Bourret, at the UK premiere of her new film, A Scottish Christmas Secret, where they called on people to support the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal.
The glitzy affair was held at the former supermodel turned filmmaker and businesswoman’s London home on Tuesday (18th November).
Caprice became a Patron of the Charity following her shock meningioma diagnosis, and subsequent successful surgical intervention, in 2017. She said: “In my six years as a Patron of Brain Tumour Research, I have had the chance to build relationships with a lot of people who know the fear of receiving a brain tumour diagnosis and sadly not all of them are still here today.
“Meeting a young woman like Connie inspires hope in us all and I’m proud to stand with her in support of the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal to raise funds for game-changing research and campaign for greater investment into clinical trials. That is the only way we are going to change the story for brain tumour patients.
“I’m so pleased that several members of the Charity’s community were able to join me for the premiere of my new Christmas film, A Scottish Christmas Secret. This is the perfect time of year to focus on what matters – the people we cherish most.”
Among Caprice’s guests were Connie Campbell, 14, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 medulloblastoma in September 2022, and her mum, Tina Smith.
Connie underwent brain surgery in October 2022, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy which meant she missed a year of school. The impact of her treatment and diagnosis has resulted in the Year 10 pupil’s delayed development, appearing younger than she is and not hitting growth milestones compared to her peers. She also took part in a phase 3 clinical trial for high-risk medulloblastoma patients.
Connie’s most recent MRI scan, in May this year, was clear.
The festive season is Connie’s favourite time of year, and her family is now supporting our Christmas Appeal. Tina (pictured below with Connie at Caprice's event) said: “We’re calling on people to support the appeal and spread hope by helping to fund more research. Living with the possibility of Connie’s tumour coming back makes me feel like a sitting duck holding onto a ticking time bomb, but this drives me to do all I can to raise awareness of this disease.
“Connie and I want people living with brain tumours to know there is hope of a better future. Even the smallest contribution can change a lot because every donation turns into research breakthroughs that take us closer to a cure for all types of brain tumours.”
Dr Karen Noble, Director of Research, Policy and Innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Caprice is a wonderful Patron, and we are so grateful to her for opening up her home to the brain tumour community.
“Currently, a low number of brain tumour patients enter the limited number of trials available. As well as our campaigning to increase that number, we are funding vital research to increase the number of clinical trials accessible to brain tumour patients. For example, the team at our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London is learning more about the molecular and genetic make-up of medulloblastoma in order to identify new ways to treat them.
“Fundamentally, any ambition to increase the number of clinical trials for brain tumour patients is underpinned by appropriate funding for early-stage science. Without this discovery research, there will be no throughput of new developments and trials will cease.”
To donate to our Christmas Appeal, please click here.
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