Gus Ironside has joined Brain Tumour UK as Development Co-ordinator for Scotland.

“My role will be to focus on strategic development of services for the charity in Scotland over the next three years. In particular, I will identify what services are needed and how they can be delivered on by linking up with neuroscience centres and local hospitals in the area.

“I’ll be looking at the development of services which will improve the choice and quality of life for brain tumour patients, their families and carers in Scotland,” says Gus.

Mumbai-born Farjana Rowther is the latest addition to Brain Tumour UK’s team of researchers at the Brain Tumour UK Neuro-oncology research Centre, University of Wolverhampton.

The 31-year-old postdoctoral research fellow, who started a three-year posting in May 2010, is determined to make a difference to the lives of patients.

“As a scientist, I spend most of my working time in the laboratory and interact mainly with other scientists and clinicians” says Farjana.

“Brain Tumour UK’s conference was an opportunity for me to see the patients and what they really go through. At the end of the day, they are the ones I am working for – to make a difference to their lives,” she adds.

The focus of Farjana’s work is to screen for genes responsible for the resistance to chemotherapy (drugs) in patients with glioblastoma.

Her mission is to try to make brain tumours more susceptible to chemotherapy by knocking down or silencing the abnormal genes responsible for this resistance.

Has your local MP taken an interest in brain tumours? If so, please help us invite them to join the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for brain tumours.

To find out more click here.

Blistered hands, boils on bum and severe backache were not enough to stop two intrepid rowers from crossing the Atlantic and raising more than £40,000 for Brain Tumour UK.

Matthew Mackaness, 29, and Charlie Marlow, 28, embarked on the awesome challenge of rowing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua.

The two old school friends completed the 3,000-mile trip after 67 days on 4 January. Since then they have been hosting fundraising events to share their experience.

The most difficult aspects of the journey were strong winds that slowed them down and the physical aches and pains caused by hours of rowing.

Charlie also suffered conjunctivitis, while Matthew had sunstroke.

Being confined to a 26 ft long and 6ft wide space with each other was also difficult at times.

“We had our little tiffs, but they usually resolved themselves after minutes. We worked well together as a team.”

The pair kept going by racing other boats and listening to Harry Potter and music.

“It was an amazing experience. It was a one off, but I won’t rule out doing a similar challenge in the future,” says Matthew.

The beautifully crafted, lightweight boat used during their journey is for sale for £30,000 and all proceeds will go to charity.

Contact matthew.mackaness@ruddingpark.com.

Buy your ticket

Charlie and Matthew will be talking and showing a film about their experience at The White Horse Pub on Parson’s Green SW6 4UL on 15 September.

Tickets: £20 (all proceeds to charity)

RSVP matthew.mackaness@ruddingpark.com

A new Brain Tumour UK Neuro-Oncology Research Centre has opened today (10 February) at the University of Wolverhampton. And you can help our campaign to raise £500,000 to fund its essential scientific research.

The new centre combines the high grade brain tumour research team led by Professor John Darling at Wolverhampton with Dr Tracy Warr’s low grade and childhood brain tumour research team from the Institute of Neurology at University College London.

“We will develop new agents to target high grade brain tumours and learn how low grade brain tumours mutate into malignant tumours,” explains Professor Darling. “We expect to be able to share a huge amount of information and discoveries with Tracy’s team, which is already identifying genes involved in childhood brain tumours.”

In an exciting development, Tracy’s team has already identified a significant gene in nine out of ten malignant astrocytomas. “If this gene could be turned off, it could bring signif icant benefits to patients with malignant glioma,” says Tracy.

Put your best foot forward and join one of our running events to raise vital funds.

A long-distance trek along Dorset’s Jurassic coast by 42 determined walkers has translated into more than £35,000 for Brain Tumour UK.

The annual Jurassic Walk - a challenge divided into a 32-mile or 12-mile walk - is organised by Jess and Diana McNally to raise funds for the charity following Jess’s treatment for a brain tumour.
This year’s event took place on Sunday, 27 June, in sweltering heat.

“The effort everyone went to this year was exceptional. We loved doing it and are looking forward to next year’s event,” says Diana.

Nicky Turner, Brain Tumour UK’s community fundraiser (south) says:  “We owe a huge debt of thanks to Diana and Jess, as well as the other walkers for their fantastic effort.”