Tag: Brain Tumour Research

Woman living with aggressive brain cancer takes on 100km canoe challenge

A West Lothian woman living with aggressive brain cancer is taking on a 100km canoe challenge to help fund a cure.

Hannah King-Page, 43, from Broxburn, will paddle coast-to-coast through the Scottish Highlands along the Great Glen Canoe Trail from 7 to 11 May as part of a team of six to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

The challenge will see Hannah and her team wild camp along the route as they navigate canals, lochs and open water, including the vast expanse of Loch Ness.

Hannah, a former physiotherapist who was forced to retire due to ill health, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous form of brain tumour, in 2020 after suffering a seizure at work.

More than five years on, she has outlived the 12-to-18-month prognosis that this tumour type carries. Her tumour remains stable, but she continues to live with the lasting effects of the disease.

Hannah said: “Taking on this challenge is about making the most of the time I have and doing something positive. It gives me purpose and a focus, while raising awareness of a disease that needs far more attention.

“I feel incredibly fortunate that things have remained stable for me, especially when I know so many others aren’t as lucky. But there’s also a sense of guilt that comes with that, because I’m very aware that other people I’ve met through the brain tumour community are facing progression or going through treatment again. It’s not success – it’s just that I’m still here, and I don’t take that for granted.

“Day-to-day life has changed completely since my diagnosis. I live with chronic fatigue, and there are times when it can completely wipe me out for no real reason. I also have some cognitive difficulties – I lose my words or struggle to process things as quickly as I used to.

“There are good days where I feel like I can take on anything, and then there are days where even simple things feel much harder. It’s about learning to listen to your body and adapting to a new normal.”

Hannah will be joined by a group of friends, coming together as ‘Paddles for Progress’ for the challenge, who she met while trekking 50km across the Sahara Desert last year.

Together they raised more than £90,000 for Brain Tumour Research.

The team includes Hariette Small, 46, a Welsh teacher living in Berkshire, who is taking part in memory of a close family friend who died from a brain tumour aged just eight; Hayley Firth, 48, and Amy Firth, 24, from Bedfordshire, who are fundraising in memory of their nephew and cousin, George Fox, who died aged 13; and Claire Cordiner, 57, from Edinburgh, whose family has been devastated by brain tumours, losing four loved ones to the disease.

Also taking part are Hannah’s cousin Sarah Martin, 55, and Gary Balkham, 62, both from Bristol, who share a close personal connection to her journey.

“Meeting the group in the Sahara was such a powerful experience,” Hannah said. “We all came together because of brain tumours, but what we built out there was something much deeper.

“We supported each other through a really tough challenge, and that created a bond that’s hard to explain unless you’ve been through it. We knew we wanted to do something together again, and this felt like the perfect opportunity.”

The group’s latest challenge will take them on a coast-to-coast journey through the Scottish Highlands along the Great Glen Canoe Trail, travelling from Banavie, near Fort William, to Clachnaharry, Inverness, on a demanding multi-day route that combines inland waterways with large open lochs.

Despite her experience with outdoor challenges, Hannah admits she will need to carefully manage her condition throughout the journey.

Hannah said: “For me, the biggest challenge will be managing my fatigue. Physically, I know I can push myself, but living with a brain tumour means I have to be honest about my limits.

“I’ve learned that I need to speak up if I’m struggling or need to slow down, and that’s something I’ll have to be really mindful of during the challenge. It’s about finding that balance between pushing myself and looking after my health.”

Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and there are more than 100 different types of primary brain tumour, making them notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.

Through her fundraising group, Hannah’s Kingdom, she has already helped raise more than £36,000 for Brain Tumour Research, funding 13 days of vital research into the disease. 

This includes work carried out at centres such as the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, focused on finding kinder treatments and, ultimately, a cure for glioblastoma – the same type of tumour Hannah is living with.

Hannah added: “Fundraising has become such an important part of my life since my diagnosis. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of family and friends who have gone above and beyond to help raise money, whether that’s through events, challenges or donations. It’s amazing to know that what we’re doing is helping to fund research, but at the same time it highlights how much more is needed.

“We’ve all got a brain, yet brain tumours receive just 1% of the national spend on cancer research. Treatments for high-grade tumours like mine haven’t really changed in decades, and that’s something that needs urgent attention. While I’m still here and able, I want to keep raising awareness and using my voice to push for better outcomes for people diagnosed in the future.”

Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Hannah’s determination to take on such a demanding challenge while living with a brain tumour is incredibly inspiring and we are so grateful for her continued support.

“Her story highlights not only the resilience of those affected by this disease, but also the urgent need for greater investment in research. We have a whole team of scientists at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence dedicated to finding better outcomes for glioblastoma but we desperately need more funding.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.  

To support the “Paddle for Progress” team’s fundraising challenge, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/team/100kcanoeacrossscotland

To read more on Hannah’s brain tumour journey, visit: 

https://braintumourresearch.org/blogs/in-hope/hannah-king-page

Seizure that revealed Edinburgh man’s brain cancer saved his life before Christmas

Doctors told an Edinburgh man that if it hadn’t been for the seizure which revealed his incurable brain cancer, he wouldn’t be here to see Christmas. 

Jerry Kerrisk, 66, was fit, active, and showing no symptoms when he suddenly collapsed in June 2025 during a seizure. The episode, which happened while visiting his twin sons, Conor and Brendan, 25, led to the discovery of a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer.  

Now, the Kerrisk family are helping to raise awareness of the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal, which is calling on the public to fund pioneering research and help change the story for brain tumour patients. 

More than 100,000 people in the UK are estimated to be living with a brain tumour or the long-term effects of their diagnosis, yet research into the disease remains severely underfunded. 

Jerry’s wife, Janice, 62, said: “Jerry has always been a kind, practical man who appreciates all things in life. He loves being outdoors, walking our dog Rua, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends. He is an electrician by trade; hardworking, dependable, and good-humoured. His colleagues often describe him as “one of life’s true gentlemen,” and that could not be truer.

“The morning of his collapse, he seemed quiet and a little distracted. As we were heading out shopping, he suddenly said, ‘We need to write our wills and decide where we’ll put our ashes.’ It was such an odd comment that it stopped me in my tracks, but I thought he was worrying about his prostate cancer, which is under control.

“Less than an hour later, we were visiting our sons when he suddenly roared, lifted his arm towards the sky, and collapsed face down on the grass in a violent seizure. By the time the paramedics arrived, Jerry had suffered two further seizures. He was unconscious, bleeding from his mouth and nose. It was absolutely horrific to watch.”

Jerry was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he experienced a third seizure. Initial CT scans appeared clear, but when he failed to recover fully, doctors ordered further tests. 

An MRI scan revealed a brain tumour, and the following week the family were told it was a 4cm glioblastoma, with a typical prognosis of 12 to 18 months.  

“The diagnosis was devastating,” Janice said. “I had prepared myself for bad news, but Jerry hadn’t. He thought the surgery would remove it and he would recover. When the consultant said the words ‘grade 4 glioblastoma’, he was in shock.

“He turned to the doctor and said quietly, ‘I feel like I’m a dead man walking.’ I will never forget those words. I sat taking notes while he stared at the floor in silence. We left the hospital numb.”

Jerry underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible and was discharged within days. Further testing showed it was “unmethylated”, meaning resistant to temozolomide – a key drug for glioblastoma. 

He began six weeks of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy following surgery and is now on maintenance cycles of treatment. Despite ongoing fatigue, he continues to walk Rua twice a day, plays golf, and enjoys fishing. 

Now, ‘Team Jerry’ have channelled their energy into supporting Brain Tumour Research by completing the 99 Miles in November challenge. Janice, her son Conor, her sister Anne, nephew Niall, and his partner Gordon walked a combined 500 miles, raising more than £15,700, including Gift Aid, for the charity. 

The sum is enough to fund more than five days of research, such as that taking place at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity. The Centre is focused on developing kinder treatments and finding a cure for glioblastoma, the same type of tumour that Jerry is living with. 

Janice said: “What I want most is a breakthrough, for Jerry and for others like him. The prognosis for glioblastoma is so cruelly short. 

“I dream of the day when people no longer hear that this diagnosis is terminal. Jerry does not talk much about the future, but every so often he will say something that stops me in my tracks. The other night, after being out with friends for a birthday lunch, he said, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be here next year’. I told him we have to stay positive, because we do. That is how we get through. 

“Our lives have changed completely, but our love, our humour, and our faith in one another remain. Jerry is still Jerry – gentle, strong, and quietly brave. I hope we can help make a difference so that, one day, families like ours will have real hope for the future.” 

Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer. Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002. 

Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Janice and her family have shown incredible strength and positivity since Jerry’s diagnosis. Their determination to raise awareness and fund research is truly inspiring.

“We are so grateful to Team Jerry for supporting our 99 Miles in November challenge and Christmas Appeal, and for helping to fund vital research such as the work taking place at our new Scottish Centre of Excellence. Every step they take brings us closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.   

To support the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal, visit:  

www.braintumourresearch.org/christmas

To support Team Jerry’s fundraising efforts, visit:  

https://www.justgiving.com/team/jerry

Brain tumour patients and bereaved families call on Scottish Government to increase innovation investment and access to clinical trials 

Brain tumour patients and family members who have lost loved ones gathered at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, in Edinburgh to learn more about the world-class research taking place there and call on the Scottish Government to increase investment in and widen access to clinical trials.  

This urgent call comes ahead of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group (CPG) on Brain Tumours meeting today (Tuesday 25 November), convened by Brain Tumour Research. Attendees, including Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP and MSP Finlay Carson, will hear about the latest clinical innovations in the field, and about inequitable access to genomic testing. 

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of brain tumour tissue reveals powerful information about the underlying biology driving tumour growth and helps to inform what drugs could be used to target specific cancer-causing pathways. This information unlocks access to clinical trials based on cancer biology rather than location in the body. Without it, the pool of trials that patients can be part of shrinks.  

In Scotland, WGS is not routinely offered through the NHS and access is largely limited to research studies. The lack of routine testing means patients are not accessing treatment options based on the biology of their individual tumour when needed. It also means that patients won’t be eligible for more personalised treatments such as immunotherapy that may become available in the coming years.  

Among the families calling for more action is Nadia Majid, from Airdrie, who lost her four-year-old son Rayhan to a brain tumour. On 13 December 2017, an MRI scan revealed that little Rayhan had a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour.  

Two days later, Rayhan underwent a 10-hour operation. Surgeons removed most of the tumour, but not all, as it was touching his brainstem. Despite three further surgeries and six weeks of radiotherapy, Rayhan tragically died just four months after diagnosis, shortly after starting chemotherapy.   

“You think that with medicine today, there would be effective treatments and even a cure,” Nadia said. “But shockingly, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“Added to this, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. It shouldn’t be left to charities to fund research.

“We can’t allow Scottish families to be left behind in the search for more effective, kinder treatments and ultimately a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research Patron Theo Burrell will join supporters at the CPG this week. Theo is supporting our active campaigning on the need for greater access to, and patient-led uptake in clinical trials.  

Theo Burrell, Brain Tumour Research Patron and glioblastoma patient, said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is devastating enough, without finding out that patients in Scotland are being left behind in the hunt for new treatments due to a lack of routine testing.

“I am working with Brain Tumour Research – the Secretariat of the Brain Tumours Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament – to make it clear to the Scottish Government that 100% of brain tumour patients should be offered genome sequencing. The technology is there – let’s use it to stop this injustice.” 

“We must improve patient strategy for Brain Tumours” – Foysol Choudhury

Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury has called for an improved Scottish patient strategy for brain tumours, following his Member’s Business Debate which marked March as Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Mr Choudhury, whose Member’s Business Motion on Brain Tumour Awareness Month achieved Cross-Party Support this week (26th March 2024) opened the debate on that Motion and shone a light on the importance of increasing funding for brain tumour research and improved patient outcomes, which he says have changed little in over a generation.

One in three people know someone affected by a Brain Tumour and this prevalence of the disease,  Mr Choudhury argues, is why brain tumours must be treated as a clinical and strategic priority by Government, with increased funding for research into brain tumours.

Mr Choudhury said: “Brain Tumours are a cancer of unmet need- despite poor outcomes, funding for brain tumour research remains at just a percentage of research funding for other cancers.

“Money must be ring fenced to support the discovery science that could transform patient outcomes in the field. More investment in research can lead to more clinical trials, new knowledge, and improved options and outcomes for patients.“

MSP Choudhury also shared the experience of Rayhan and Theo, who both had to eventually attend A&E where a scan diagnosed their brain tumours after these went unnoticed by GPs.

Mr Choudhury said: “The saddening experiences of Rayhan and Theo are unfortunately not unique-many other patients have to struggle with misdiagnosis or their brain tumours going undetected for some time.

“The Brain Tumour Charity found 41 percent of people suffering from a brain tumour had to visit their GP three or more times before being diagnosed.

“This must change if we are going to achieve early and successful treatment for brain tumour patients.

“That’s why it should be a priority to develop new clinical pathways informed by specialist knowledge and clinical training to identify Brain Tumours.”

Thomas Brayford, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said of the debate: “We come together every March to mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month and to raise awareness of this deadly disease, which kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“And, only 12% of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis. These outcomes can and must improve. But this will only happen if the Government prioritises brain tumours and declares them a clinical priority.”

Mr Choudhury says that Brain tumours have been left ignored for too long and that following his Member’s Business Debate, he will continue to argue for increased funding and clinical development to tackle the devastating outcomes for brain tumour patients.

Foysol Choudhury MSP’s Member’s Business Debate for Brain Tumour Awareness Month on 26/03/34 can be watched here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/

Cricket Scotland stars set off on epic charity cycle in memory of team mate

Players’ Cycle for Con inspired by team mate lost to brain tumour

The death of Cricket Scotland player Con de Lange to a brain tumour at the age of 38 has inspired two team mates to take on a cycling challenge to help find a cure for the disease.

Craig Wallace, aged 30, from Carnoustie, and Ali Evans, 31, from Edinburgh, will be pedalling 672 miles in seven days with the distance representing the fact that Con was the 672nd person to play for Scotland.

The pair will start in Dundee on Thursday (1 October) and their route will take them to numerous clubs and destinations across Scotland which were loved by Con.

They’ll take in St Andrews, Fife, Perth, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and finish in Carnoustie. Coronavirus restrictions have meant the original plan to also visit many county grounds in England which Con knew and loved, including Northampton and Blackburn, have been scrapped.

Con (above) died in April last year two years after he first became ill. He left a wife Claire and two children, Daisy and Rory. A talented all-rounder, Con’s professional career began in his native South Africa. He went on to play county cricket for Northamptonshire before representing Scotland internationally.

Craig said: “Con was just such a proper, genuine and nice man; one of the finest gentleman I have ever met. He was always the one who would go round the dressing room, checking everyone was OK.

“He loved pulling pranks on us and would always have some kind of remote control spider or snake which he would leave lurking around someone’s hotel room when we were away on tour.

“I’m fortunate to have met him through cricket. Con represented Scotland in 2015 and took the team from strength to strength. It’s where I and so many got to see his cheeky smile, his caring attitude and most importantly his competitive nature, every day.”

Craig and Ali’s Cycle for Con has already raised £4,600 for the charity Brain Tumour Research, the only national charity in the UK singularly focused on finding a cure for brain tumours through campaigning for an increase in the national investment into research to £35 million a year, while fundraising to create a sustainable network of brain tumour research centres in the UK.

Craig added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“Too many great people like Con are dying too young and that’s why we want to raise as much awareness of this disease as we can for him and his amazing family and to raise as much money as we can to help other people affected by this horrible cancer and to stop it happening in the future.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is calling for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

Gus Mackay, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see the cricket community come together to raise nearly £5,000 to support Craig and Ali’s #Cycle4Con challenge in honour of the late Con de Lange.

“Cricket Scotland is behind Craig and Ali all the way, and we can’t wait to follow along with their progress and see how much is raised for Brain Tumour Research.”  

To sponsor Craig and Ali please go to www.justgiving.com/craig-wallace4  and follow their journey on social media using #CycleforCon