The world’s largest volunteer service organisation has signed a charity partnership which will help to find a cure for brain tumours.
Lions Clubs International British Isles is working alongside Brain Tumour Research with the aim of raising £1,000,000 over four years.
The money will help fund sustainable research at the charity’s network of Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence in the UK. It will also support the charity’s campaign for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
Hundreds of Lions Clubs across the country have chosen to support Brain Tumour Research in their communities. At the end of the partnership, the Lions will have a research centre laboratory named after them, thereby creating a legacy in recognition of their contribution to improving the lives of brain tumour patients and their families.
Sue Farrington Smith MBE, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are delighted to be able to make this joint announcement with Lions Clubs International British Isles and to celebrate this partnership which will be transformational to our work.
“Lions are ordinary people who do extraordinary things to help others and support good causes. Globally, they have more volunteers in more places than any other volunteer service club organisation.
“Because of their work in so many local communities, the Lions will be able to use their network across the British Isles to reach entirely new audiences. This will be a fantastic opportunity to raise a significant amount of money and awareness of our vital work.”
Senior Lions have already had first-hand experience of work taking place at one of the Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence. On a tour of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), they met Professor Silvia Marino and her team and heard about the pioneering work into glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most common and aggressive forms of primary brain tumour in adults. The work at QMUL is aimed at identifying and developing new drugs that can ‘switch off’ brain cancer stem cells that control tumour growth.
Past International Director Phil Nathan MBE said: “Lions Clubs International of The British Isles is proud to be joining in partnership with Brain Tumour Research. We will rise to the challenge of raising funds; highlighting the need for more research and increasing awareness in our local communities. Brain tumours strike indiscriminately and touch the lives of patients, their families and all those close to them.
“We are honoured to be associated with an organisation that is building capacity in pioneering research that will significantly improve outcomes for brain tumour patients and their families.”
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