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On average, every month over 30 children* (the size of a classroom in the UK), are diagnosed with a brain tumour which will have a life-changing impact on them and their family but there is hope with your help.
This March we are recognising Brain Tumour Awareness Month, drawing attention to how this impacts children and their families but also the work we do every day to find kinder, more effective treatments. Brain and other central nervous system tumours are by far the greatest cancer-related cause of death in children in the UK but we’re working with brilliant people every day using research to improve lives.
Just over half of the children who do survive will have neurological disabilities for the rest of their lives because surgery and treatments, such as chemotherapy, lack specificity and therefore can destroy healthy cells leading to permanently damaging side effects.
That is why our research includes projects looking into targeted treatment options for a child’s specific cancer.
*Statistic calculated based on figures provided by Cancer Research UK
Lucie, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just five weeks old. It started with Lucie not feeding well, always asleep and having some big veins in her head. She was taken to the hospital where a CT scan revealed that she has a mass on her brain. An MRI scan confirmed that it was a brain tumour along with hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid on the brain).
After receiving chemotherapy, Lucie deteriorated and her parents were told to say their last goodbyes. But to everyone’s surprise Lucie’s condition improved and the family was sent home with six monthly check-ups.
Olivia was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just nine years old. It started with headaches and vomiting once a month. Eventually, Olivia had an MRI scan which showed that she had a brain tumour.
After receiving radiotherapy, it seemed like Olivia started to get better slightly. However, about a year and a bit later, Olivia sadly passed away.
Mia was five years old when she was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma – a type of brain tumour in 2011. Mia underwent vigorous treatment, however, she sadly passed away in 2020.
Get involved this March to spread awareness of brain tumours in children and young people, and the urgent need for more research.
Find your next challenge and get your training off the ground this Brain Tumour Awareness Month...
Find my challengeEvery day in the UK, 10 children and young people just like Alfie are diagnosed with cancer...
Find out how you can helpMake a difference this Brain Tumour Awareness Month by fundraising for Children with Cancer UK...
Find out moreGetting ahead of drug resistance in diffuse midline glioma
Prof. Jones and his team will carry out large-scale drug-treatment experiments where they 'delete' every gene present in the tumour cells one-by-one and find out which combination of drug and gene 'knock-outs' causes the cells to die.
Read moreBrain Tumour Awareness Month blog: The Voice of 30
We highlight those affected by Brain TumoursThis March we are highlighting Brain Tumour Awareness Month through ‘The Voice of 30’ including researchers and medical experts, who are giving hope by working tirelessly to further understand and eradicate brain tumours.
Read moreWe're here to help so please don't hesitate in contacting us:
info@childrenwithcancer.org.uk | 0800 222 9000 |