Ambassador
Co-Founder of Brain Tumour Research and former Chief Executive, Sue Farrington Smith MBE has embarked on a new chapter, taking on the role of Ambassador. After stepping down from her position at the Charity’s helm in June 2023, following extensive treatment for abdominal cancer, she joined our Board of Trustees, becoming Vice Chair in July 2024.
With more time now to dedicate to her other passions, which include her family and Church, Sue is also devoting her energies to supporting the next era of the Charity’s growth as an Ambassador, fundraiser and community activist. She remains focused on our shared vision to find a cure for all types of brain tumour and our mission to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours to bring parity with breast cancer and leukaemia.
Sue and her family were thrust into the brain tumour arena when her beloved niece, Alison Phelan was diagnosed with a terminal brain stem glioma (now often known as a DIPG) and they lost her just 10 months later, in June 2001, three weeks before her eighth birthday. Discovering how bleak the prognosis was for Ali and so many other children, was the catalyst for her ground-breaking journey to change the landscape for children and adults alike, diagnosed with this devastating disease.
Ali’s story Sue’s Brain Tumour Research Highlights
Launch of Brain Tumour Research – 28th April 2009
First Wear A Hat Day – March 2010
First Believe Magazine – Summer 2011
Launch of first Centre of Excellence – 1st November 2012 (Note: baby in video is Charlie Boutwood from Charlie's Challenge)
Recognised as leading medical research charity through membership of AMRC - 2013
Funding July 2013 and July 2014
Invest in a Cure - Manifesto 2015
E-Petition on brain tumour research funding - August 2015-February 2016
Petitions Committee – Funding for research into brain tumours report – March 2016
Addressing the historic underfunding of brain tumour research – October 2016
Made an MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours
Entitled to join the NCRI Partnership of larger cancer research funders - 2017
DHSC Task and Finish Working Group Report – February 2018
APPGBT Inquiry Report – A Cost too much to bear – February 2018
10th Anniversary – April 2019
Find a Cure - Manifesto 2019
First Facebook challenge, 10,000 Steps a Day in February, raises [£1 million] – January – February 2021
It’s time for a cure – Stop the Devastation – June 2021
APPGBT Inquiry Report – Pathway to a Cure – February 2023
Annual Report and Financial Statements - June 2023