MOMENTOUS BRAIN TUMOUR DEBATE AT WESTMINSTER

Brain tumours were in the spotlight during a milestone debate in the House of Commons.

The landmark debate on brain tumour research funding – the first on the subject since the Westminster Hall debate in 2016 –was held in the main chamber of the House during Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

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Among the MPs who contributed to the debate were Hilary Benn MP, who became an active member of the APPGBT after being contacted by his constituent and brain tumour patient Rory Burke, and APPGBT officer, Holly Mumby-Croft MP, also contributed. Read about how Holly’s constituent Nicki Hopkins engaged her in our cause on pages 16-17.

Movingly Siobhain McDonagh MP spoke about her family’s devastating experience with the disease. Siobhain’s sister Margaret has been diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM).

Challenging UK governments and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research

Concluding the debate, Derek Thomas said he was “encouraged that the discussion does not end here” adding that it must continue “because far too many lives depend on it”.

Derek Thomas MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT), opened the debate with a powerful statement that brain tumour research should be made “the priority of all cancer research”.

He praised the Realf family for their tireless campaigning in memory of their son Stephen, who died in 2014. Stephen’s sister Maria Lester launched the 2015 petition calling for increased funding for research into brain tumours and the family has campaigned alongside Brain Tumour Research for many years.

Stephen’s dad Peter watched the debate in the public gallery alongside Maria and members of our team. He said: “We have some new momentum now and I’m hopeful we can keep pushing forward to make the Government live up to its responsibilities and fund brain tumour research adequately.”

Main image: Stephen Realf

Inset: Staunch campaigners Peter Realf and Maria Lester

Sarah Owen MP told attendees about “true inspiration” Amani Liaquat, who was just 23 when she died from a GBM, and Greg Smith MP paid tribute to “one of the most inspirational campaigners and fighters on this cause”, our Chief Executive, Sue Farrington Smith MBE.

In his response, Health Minister Will Quince referenced the APPGBT inquiry report, Pathway to a Cure – Breaking Down the Barriers, stating: “There are detailed recommendations here, with potentially far-reaching consequences, and the MRC, NIHR and I will consider responses and come back to colleagues.”

He added: “I am confident that the Government’s continued commitment to funding will help us make progress towards effective treatment.”

The week after the debate Derek, a committed champion for the brain tumour community, raised our cause directly with the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions. He asked Rishi Sunak to make brain tumours a critical priority because “a uniquely complex disease needs a unique response” adding “the brain tumour community has not seen the breakthroughs in treatment and survival rates that many of us believe they should have”.

Thanking Derek for his “thoughtful and powerful question”, the PM said he would “make sure that he (Derek) gets a meeting with a relevant minister, so we can assure that funding gets out to the people who need it, and we can bring relief to them as quickly as we can”.

Momentum is building and we are encouraged by these displays of political will. Join us as we drive forward our campaigning to keep brain tumours at the top of the political agenda: www.braintumourresearch.org/ campaign-with-us