Brain Tumour Research last week took part in a Medical Research Showcase Event in Wales, organised by the Cross-Party Group on Medical Research and sponsored by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
The Showcase Event, at the Senedd, provided an opportunity to engage with Members of the Senedd (MS) and charity colleagues to talk about the research we fund in Wales and to explore pathways towards achieving better outcomes for Welsh brain tumour patients.
We were joined by Dr Ben Newland who leads the “Materials for Neuroscience” research group at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University. His research, which we co-fund in partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC), focuses on creating soft, implantable biomaterials for delivering drugs and other therapeutics (such as proteins and cells) to the brain.
Also joining us was our supporter Rhys Holmes from Newport, South Wales, who was just eight when he was diagnosed with a grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma.
Together we spoke to David Rees MS, Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Cancer, about Dr Newland’s research, and the need to declare brain tumours a clinical priority to enable research to become game-changing across the translational pipeline. John Griffiths MS was really interested to hear about Rhys’ (his constituent) brain tumour story and Mike Hedges MS also dropped by for updates on Brain Tumour Research’s work.
David Rees MS said: “It is critical that we see the benefits of research for our constituents.”
He added: “Everything you do makes our lives better. Research saves lives, and every pound invested in research generates multiple returns. Not just returns in terms of money, but also returns in outcomes.”
Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Thomas Brayford (pictured top with Dr Newland and Rhys) said: “It was a pleasure to attend the event, alongside Ben and Rhys, to celebrate the research already happening, and to encourage more, much needed, research in the field of brain tumours. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”
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