The Brain Tumour Charity
The work we do
The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts. We fund scientific and clinical research into brain tumours and offer support and information to those affected, whilst raising awareness and influencing policy.
Our aim is to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours.
The Research
We fund world-class research to save lives
Less than 2% of cancer research funding in the UK is spent on brain tumours – we are committed to increasing this. As the UK’s largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours, currently spending £2.5 million per year, we are the experts in this area. World class research is at the heart of everything we do – it informs the information, the awareness and the policy work that we deliver.
We have been a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) since 2006 and fund our research in the fairest way through an open, transparent process called peer-review. Peer review is the only way to ensure the very best research, with the biggest potential impact, is selected for funding and that it is not duplicated by research elsewhere. Our supporters can be confident that the money they raise is spent in the most effective way, with the best chance of success to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours. Because of this process, researchers are eligible for top up funding of 28p for every £1 invested through the government’s charity support fund. We have twice received the AMRC’s Certificate of Best Practice for our peer review process.
This is the only way to ensure that the projects we fund are world-class, with the best chance of success.
Our current research grants include:
- Clinical trials to test new treatments
- Centres of Excellence, for example, The Samantha Dickson Brain Cancer Unit at University College London.
- A wide range of research projects across the UK making breakthroughs in understanding, diagnosing and treating brain tumours.
The Information and Support
We can provide you with expert support and information.
Whether you’re living with a brain tumour, or you’re a family member or friend, we can provide support every step of the way. We cover adult and paediatric brain tumours of all types and grades. We can guide you through any aspect of living with a brain tumour, from dealing with diagnosis and the impact of treatment to travel insurance or preparing for the end of life.
We offer a range of support services that cover phone, online, face-to-face support and counselling. Our professional and compassionate Support & Info Line offers a confidential way to ask questions or raise concerns about a diagnosis, treatments and how it may affect your daily life. You can access this support by phone, email or online. Our growing network of support groups help you connect with others in your area plus we provide online discussion forums and regular phone support groups.
Our website contains a wealth of information, including fact sheets, an A-Z ‘jargon buster’ and stories from people who have been affected. We hold UK-wide information days giving you the chance to hear from world class experts.
The Awareness
We focus on specific brain tumour issues.
We are able to measure the impact of our work and see a difference for people living with a brain tumour and the thousands more that are diagnosed each year.
Our current campaign is HeadSmart: be brain tumour aware, which aims to shorten unacceptable diagnosis times for childhood brain tumours through raising awareness and knowledge of the signs and symptoms. This will reduce long-term disabilities and ultimately save children’s lives.
The Brain Tumour Charity leads the ongoing promotion and funding of this campaign. Since its launch in June 2011, average diagnosis times have been reduced by almost 2 weeks to 6.7 weeks. We are committed to bringing average diagnosis times to under 5 weeks to be on a par with, if not better than, the rest of the world.
The Policy
We never miss an opportunity to ensure that the voices of those affected by brain tumours are heard.
Our policy work is led by people who’ve been affected by a brain tumour and, as we receive no government funding, we are able to make sure that our supporters’ voices are heard on the issues that matter to them.
We help people speak directly to politicians and policy makers and work to ensure that key issues are a priority for decision makers at national and regional levels across the UK.
Our work ensures that The Charity’s fundamental activities, including world-class research, support services and HeadSmart, can be carried out effectively.
