As Brain Tumour Awareness Month gets underway, there has been a flurry of activity to help raise awareness of this devastating disease.
The month started with a minute’s silence held at 11am on Wednesday 1st March. This was observed at each of our three Centres of Excellence, where the teams also laid wreaths at the Walls of Hope in a poignant moment of reflection and respect for those lost to brain tumours.
The Brain Tumour Research team also fell silent at our head office, as well as virtually via Zoom, and we were honoured to be joined by members of our community.
The team at our Centre of Excellence in the University of Plymouth
Later that day, hundreds of people flocked to social media to take part in our #ShineALight campaign, lighting candles in memory of loved one who have died and in support of those affected by this devastating disease.
It was truly amazing to see our timelines across social media illuminated with your images of candles and touching messages about those being remembered and held in your thoughts.
Amongst those lighting a candle was Kelsey Parker, who is approaching the first anniversary of her husband Tom Parker’s death later this month. Pop star Tom died from a glioblastoma (GBM) on 30th March 2022, and many fans of The Wanted also lit their own candles in his memory.
Kelsey’s candle for Tom (via Instagram @being_kelsey)
Our celebrity supporter Sarah Beeny shared a video with her son via Instagram stories. Sarah has supported Brain Tumour Research for many years having lost her mum to a brain tumour at the age of 10 only to lose her stepmother to the disease 30 year later. She is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and we wish Sarah well and thank her for her ongoing support.
MailOnline reporting on Sarah’s #ShineALight
EastEnders actress Danielle Harold is currently tackling an emotive storyline in the soap which has seen her character Lola diagnosed with a GBM. Danielle shared her candle via her Instagram stories.
Danielle’s candle (via Instagram @danielle_harold)
Danny Clarke, AKA The Black Gardener, lit a candle for his sister Margot, who died from a GBM at the age of 52. Danny is set to be the face of our Rose for Hope – new for 2023 – which will launch later in March. Stay tuned for more information about this soon.
Danny tweeted his support of #ShineALight (via Twitter @theblkgardener)
Thank you to all of you helped us #ShineALight. In means the world that you are helping us raise vital awareness of brain tumours.
Our project to light up the UK for Brain Tumour Awareness Month is also off to a great start. Our huge thanks go to Helen Todd, who sent us these amazing photos of Belfast City Hall lit up in pink and yellow on 1st March. Helen’s husband David was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017 and lives with the life-changing effects of treatment.
More buildings are set to be illuminated throughout March – keep an eye on our social media for photos. Find out more about this project and how you can get involved here.
Momentum is gathering too for Wear A Hat Day with lots of you already registered for our hattastic fundraiser. We’ve heard about some amazing events so far, including from:
Beachborough Prep School where will pupils don a hat of their choice which they will model during a whole-school assembly, wear our iconic pin badges and enjoy a grand bake sale. The school has supported Brain Tumour Research since 2009, raising more than £18,000 to help find a cure.
Pupils at Beachborough Prep School (left) and Barbara with Peter Aldous MP and Doug Youngs (right)
Barbara Shaw who is hosting an event at her village hall featuring refreshments, a tombola and a bring-and-buy stall. Barbara, who enjoys the support of her MP Peter Aldous for Wear A Hat Day, will also be dyeing her hair bright pink for the occasion!
Colleagues at the HMRC call centre in East Kilbride who will wear hats in support of their colleague Barbara Graham, who lost her dad Jim to a brain tumour in 1994.
Julia Dailey who has just knitted her first beanie hat in time for Wear A Hat Day. Julia is getting involved in memory of her husband Steve, who died from a brain tumour in 2020.
Julia (left) and Barbara (right) ready for Wear A Hat Day
Ashford Prep School where around 390 pupils and 70 members of staff will either wear hats or make their own to wear on the day, donate via collection buckets and be able to purchase wristbands and pin badges.
Pupils at Ashford Prep School
There’s still time to register, plan your own hatty event and raise vital funds to help find a cure for brain tumours! Register and get your FREE fundraising pack via www.wearahatday.org
There’s still lots more to come this Brain Tumour Awareness Month too, including the exciting announcement of our fourth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. Subscribe to our weekly e-news to be amongst the first to hear about this milestone.
Plus, keep an eye on our Latest News, blog and social media channels for all latest updates from Brain Tumour Research.