Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity celebrates their 18th birthday this month and have launched an £18,000 research fund to celebrate, available to be applied for by researchers across our region.
The charity officially began life as Andrea’s Gift on 12th February 2003, inspired by Andrea Key, who was told in October 2001 that she had an aggressive brain tumour and 12 months to live. On 16th May 2002, Andrea died as a result of her tumour, but she left a gift; a brain tumour charity for Yorkshire that provides support for patients and families, as well as funding local world-class research.
The £18,000 birthday pot has been made available for researchers across Yorkshire to apply to as a special one-off fund. Treatments for brain tumours have remained relatively unchanged for over 35 years, despite them being the biggest cancer killer of people aged under 40. The charity is honored to fund a broad range of low and high-grade research, including clinical, quality of life, computer modelling, PhD placements and development of robotics.
Marie Peacock, Chief Executive Officer at YBTC said:
We feel privileged to have been able to support so many people over the last 18 years. We are here for families across our region financially, emotionally and practically. We are here to also fund research to find treatments and ultimately, a cure. Our funding means we can be there right at the start to offer researchers the opportunity to undertake new proof-of-principle studies that may lead to the bigger discoveries for the future. Covid-19 has shown the huge importance of research and we want to celebrate our birthday looking forward to the future, offering an £18,000 funding boost for Yorkshire.
YBTC have also recently grown their support team, taking on an additional Counsellor to increase access to support by patients and their loved ones living across the Mid-Yorkshire area. Currently offering online and telephone remote counselling, they plan to take this out into local communities as soon as it is safe to do so.
To help raise funds to cover the costs of support and research they are holding a 1.8 challenge throughout this month with supporters using the 18th birthday theme to raise funds, including sponsored silences, dancing every day for 18 minutes, 18-mile walks and 18-minute daily exercises.
Nicki Hood, Community Fundraiser, said:
Fundraising has been really difficult over the last year, but we have continued to grow our support to meet the needs of those affected by a brain tumour. We couldn’t do this without our supporters, we want to thank everyone who has been a part of keeping the charity going over the last 18 years.
Anyone affected by a primary brain tumour can self-refer for support from YBTC which includes counselling, a helpline, support groups, financial assistance, telephone support and check ins.
To find out more about their support, or to get involved with fundraising please visit www.yorksbtc.org.uk call 0113 511 8111 or email support@yorksbtc.org.uk
- Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity is entirely reliant on donations and receives no statutory funding.
- Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity funds research, support and grants in our region. More information can be found at www.yorksbtc.org.uk.
- Brain tumours are still the biggest cancer killer of people aged 40 and under
