Today is an important day in brain tumour research campaigning.
We are conscious that for the brain tumour community, every day is brain tumour awareness day. Raising awareness of this devastating disease and the issues faced by patients and their loved ones isn’t restricted to one month; it’s something we do all year round. But Brain Tumour Awareness Month is an opportunity to focus attention on our cause and today, brain tumours are on the agenda at Westminster.
Maria Lester and her father Peter Realf, who campaigned steadfastly after the death of their beloved brother and son Stephen, will today join members of our team at Westminster, where a landmark debate on brain tumour research funding is taking place.
The family has campaigned alongside Brain Tumour Research for many years. In 2015, a year after the loss of her beloved brother, Maria started a petition calling for funding for research into brain tumours. The response was enormous and triggered the first ever inquiry by the Petition Committee, leading to the establishment of a Task & Finish Working Group and subsequently, the Government allocated £40 million of funding over five years
However, as reported in the Daily Express, despite promises of millions of pounds of investment, brain tumour patients and their families continue to be let down. With today’s debate on brain tumour research funding, we will be paying close attention for further opportunities to engage politicians in our cause and bring hope to our community.
The debate will follow one on International Women’s Day which takes place from 2pm this afternoon (Thursday 9th March). You can watch it live on Parliament TV.
Related reading:
- “For thousands of patients and their devastated families, every day is brain tumour awareness day”
- Campaign with us
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