The University of Plymouth’s Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence has welcomed supporters for tours of its labs for the first time since the pandemic began.
Patients, their families and friends, and those who have lost a loved one were invited to tour the labs, see the cutting-edge research taking place and speak to scientists about their work to find a cure for the disease.
Supporters on the lab tour were joined by charity Patron, Caprice Bourret, who herself was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2017 – one of the brain tumour types which is the focus of research at Plymouth. She revealed during the event that her latest scan showed she was now five years clear of the disease.
Plymouth is one of three Centres of Excellence in the UK supported by national charity, Brain Tumour Research, researching into low grade brain tumours such as meningioma.
Recent research breakthroughs at the centre have shown that a simple blood test could reduce, or in some cases replace, the need for intrusive surgery when determining the best course of treatment for people with meningioma, and that drugs developed to treat AIDS and HIV could also offer hope if further tests are conclusive.
Also attending the event was Benjamin Mee, owner of Dartmouth Zoological Park, who lost his wife Katherine Carnegie to a brain tumour, and Stuart Elford, the CEO of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
Supporters also placed tiles on the charity’s new Wall of Hope, with each tile representing the £2,740 it costs to sponsor a day of research at the Centre.
Among them was Charlotte Reid, who lives with the life-changing effects of her brain tumour treatment. Alongside her parents, Angie and Steve, Charlotte placed 12 tiles representing the 12 days of research they are sponsoring.
