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A team of cyclists who will be riding to the four corners of Great Britain to raise money for children’s brain tumour research, have visited the labs where the lifesaving research takes place.
The team from The University of Nottingham, including the Vice Chancellor Professor David Greenaway, visited the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) where they also met with some of the patients and their families who have previously been treated at the centre.
Professor Greenaway will lead the Life Cycle 4 challenge later this year, where a group of riders will cycle a route of more than 1,400 miles taking in the four corners of Great Britain. The team will leave Land’s End on the 14th August 2014 and ride via Dover and Durness to arrive at John O’Groats on 30th August 2014.
One of the families to attend the visit on the day was the Clarks. Rebecca Clark, 15, has been battling against two brain tumours since the age of four. Dr Susan Anderson, a lecturer in Pathology from the University is riding in honour of Rebecca.
Her mum, Sue, said: “As a family we felt very privileged to have been invited along to the Brain Tumour Research Centre and to support the riders doing the Life Cycle 4.
“Rebecca has been battling brain tumours for the last 10 years so, unfortunately, we know from personal experience just how vital their work is.
“During our visit, we learnt first-hand how the team are achieving the great results that they are, however, we also know from personal experience that research into this disease needs much more funding to enable the Centre to improve not just their knowledge and understanding of brain tumours but how to better the treatment to avoid the long term disabilities the children live with once treatment is complete. Rebecca's first tumour was treated successfully, however, the treatment she received to overcome the illness has left her with these disabilities and regrettably, as a result of the treatment, she is now fighting a second, inoperable tumour.
“I know the Life Cycle 4 riders feel honoured to be riding in memory of some of these special children but as parents we too feel honoured that they genuinely care enough to complete this challenge. Our family is one of the lucky ones, lots of children have, and will continue to lose their battle, unless the fund raising continues. Good luck to all the riders in achieving their targets and also in raising awareness of this illness.”
Dr Anderson said: “I am humbled to ride in honour of Rebecca. Her courage and positivity in the face of a long and arduous battle is truly inspirational. As tough as this ride will be, I'm more convinced than ever that we need to help make a brighter future for young people like Rebecca and her family. When things get tough on the ride, Rebecca's story will keep things in perspective.”
Around 500 children and young people a year in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour - nearly 10 a week – and a quarter of all childhood cancers occur in the brain. Survival rates have improved over the last 20 years but brain tumours remain the leading cause of cancer deaths in children.
The CBTRC was established in 1997 and brings together a multi-disciplinary team of leading healthcare professionals and researchers committed to improving the understanding of childhood brain tumours.
For more information on the Life Cycle 4 challenge – visit the Life Cycle 4 website.
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university among graduate employers, the world’s greenest university, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World's Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…