The two main doctors assigned to my case were Professor David Walker and Professor Richard Grundy. David Walker was involved with others in the development of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre and initiated the Brain Pathways Project, which developed the clinical referral guidance for children with symptoms and signs of brain tumour. He has now retired.
Richard Grundy wants to better understand the underlying biology of brain tumours in children and young adults as an important step in helping to improve the outlook for patients. He is leading a clinical trial for a rare type of brain tumour called Ependymoma the type of tumour I was diagnosed with. He is also currently researching Ketogenic diets and how they may help control certain diseases, in particular brain tumours.
Established in 1997, the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre brings together a multi-disciplinary team of leading healthcare professionals and researchers ─ all experts in their fields, and all committed to improving understanding of childhood brain tumours.
Without the team at the Queens Medical Centre and the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, I would not be here today and I owe my life to them. The research they do and the information they provide is vital. Brain cancer accounts for 6% of all UK cancers yet receives less than 2% of national funding. It is vitally important that we raise awareness of this research and do all we can to raised funds so that the Centre can continue to work towards improving the life chances of children with brain tumours.
In 2010, with help from friends, I raised £600 for the Research Centre. I was also recently involved in giving a presentation for an update campaign ambassadors meeting, talking about my story and how the Centre helped me. In 2017 I was invited to take part in a Superhero Walk to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre and I was privileged to be asked to unveil the plaque put up to celebrate the first 20 years of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre.