Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer in children and young adults, and account for about a quarter of all childhood cancers. March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and with the Government’s pledge of £40 million into brain tumour research last year, in honour of former cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell, it is a timely reminder of the urgent need for further research into treatments for this form of cancer. – Each year, around 400 children in the UK are diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumour (commonly referred to as central nervous system, or CNS tumours) – The most common form of brain tumour in children is the high-grade (malignant) and more aggressive form of this type of tumour has a particularly poor prognosis – with five-year survival rate below 20 percent – Brain and spinal cord tumours claim the lives of approximately 100 children a year in the UK. This year, Children with Cancer UK is pledging £1 million for research on brain and CNS tumour treatment to address this under-funded area of research. Despite brain tumours accounting for a third of all cancer deaths, only about six percent of childhood cancer research funding is allocated to this area. Dhivya O’Connor, CEO of Children with Cancer UK, said:

We are pleased to be announcing our 2019 Research Grant Call of £3 million to support research into treatments for childhood cancer – £1 million of which we are dedicating to brain and CNS tumour research. Brain and spinal cancers are the leading cause of cancer death amongst children. It is crucial we support research into more effective and less toxic treatment to improve survival rates and the quality of survival for children diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of childhood cancer.

To apply for a 2019 Research Grant through Children with Cancer UK, visit cwc.flexigrant.com. Outline applications for shortlisting are due 5 April. Donate today and help Children with Cancer UK make their vision of a world where no child dies of cancer a reality: