The brain tumour community came together on Sunday 1st March to mark the start of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, lighting candles and posting on social media in support of our #ShineALight campaign.
Hundreds of famous faces across the world joined us to raise awareness and shine a beacon of hope, including our Patron Alfie Boe, Fearne Cotton and Piers Morgan who posted an impassioned video in memory of his friend Miles Caldwell, who lost his life to a glioblastoma.
Boxer Frank Bruno MBE led tributes as a host of sports stars flooded social media with messages of hope, including our Ambassadors rugby players Tom and Vicky Chapman, Olympian Sam Reardon and para-athlete Anthony Bryan. Footballing legend Michael Mols also put on a show of support alongside fellow stars of the game, Ben Chilwell and Becky Spencer.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. That is unacceptable and wrong. I’m honoured to light this candle for young Stanley Batton, and everyone affected by this devastating disease. Let’s all keep fighting for this injustice and spare a thought for those suffering,” said Frank.
Our Patrons, presenter Sarah Beeny and TV gardener Danny Clarke supported the campaign, which is now in its third year. Sarah’s candle shone in honour of her mum Anne and stepmum Patricia who sadly both passed away after suffering from this deadly disease. And Danny’s support was in memory of his sister Margot McLellan, who was just 52 when she died of a glioblastoma.
Ambassador Sam Suriakumar, whose experience as a cancer patient has contributed to a moving film for the Charity, got his daughters, Avaana and Arya, involved in #ShineALight as they reflected on hope, expectations and outcomes for the brain tumour community.
Sam Suriakumar with his daughters, Danny Clarke, Rick Astley and Joan Armatrading
For Kelsey Parker, widow of Tom Parker from the Wanted, lighting a candle was especially meaningful as this month also marks the fourth anniversary of the singer’s death. Tom died of a glioblastoma on 30th March 2022, aged 33, leaving Kelsey and their two children, Aurelia and Bodhi.
Tom was a passionate advocate for raising awareness of the disease and spoke openly about the impact of his diagnosis.
In the world of music, McFly also posted in love and remembrance of their good friend Tom. Other artists who used their huge fanbase to help raise awareness included Suzi Quatro, Sharleen Spiteri and Altered Images singer Clare Grogan, who lost her good friend Annabel Giles to the disease.
Meanwhile, Patron and pop-music powerhouse Pete Waterman posted a plea for support after losing his son Paul to a brain tumour, at the age of 33 – with singer Rick Astley also lighting a candle for Paul, whom he had worked closely with.
Qian Zephaniah, wife of poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah, followed in her late husband’s footsteps using the power of words to beautifully articulate the desperate need for greater awareness of this devastating disease. Of Benjamin and our #ShineALight campaign, she wrote: “Let it ignite the desperate urgency he deserved in life: more research, more funding, more time for those still fighting.”
Also remembering Benjamin, was award-winning singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading CBE who posted in memory of her beloved friend.
Thank you again to everyone who took part in #ShineALight. This is just the start of our Brain Tumour Awareness Month activities. For more ways to get involved, click here.
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