Plymouth University selects Brain Tumour Research as official charity partner

Brain Tumour Research has been chosen by Plymouth University to be an official charity partner. Brain Tumour Research was launched in April 2009 to raise awareness of, and funding for, scientific research into brain tumours and improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.

A range of events and activities organised by the University will raise funds for the charity, and members of staff and students, as well as other University partners, will be encouraged to donate, fundraise and volunteer. The involvement of the wider community across the South West will also be important.

Earlier this year Brain Tumour Research chose Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry to join its growing network of Research Centres of Excellence. The team in Plymouth were recognised for their international reputation for research in the uniquely challenging field of low grade brain tumours and tumours of the nervous system - many of which affect the young. Researchers in Plymouth are fast tracking drug therapies with a view to making them available to patients quickly and safely

The research team works closely with clinicians at Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust, which is a regional centre for brain tumour treatment and care.

More children and adults under 40 die of a brain tumour than from any other cancer, yet brain tumours receive just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research. Currently the treatments available are complex and hazardous surgery to remove the tumour and radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Despite the advances in science and the growing opportunities for neurological investigation unless we significantly increase research funding it could take another 100 years to find a cure.

Money raised across the region help towards funding research at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Plymouth University.

Brain Tumour Research is on a mission to raise -7 million per year in order to support their four Research Centres of Excellence and establish three more.

Professor David Coslett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Plymouth University said: "As world leaders in brain tumour research it is only right that we make Brain Tumour Research an official charity partner. We are starting out on an exciting journey with the charity which will see us together raise awareness of brain tumours, embark on some exciting fundraising activities and ultimately contribute to better therapies for patients - we firmly believe that our work holds the key to better, more effective treatments for this type of brain tumour in the future. We hope that the people of the South West will work with us to make this partnership a huge success."

Sue Farrington Smith, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research added: "Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and more research is critical to improve outcomes for patients. We are delighted to become Plymouth University's official charity partner and look forward to working closely with staff, students and residents in the region to raise funds."