Achievements
Achievements so far include…
| 2004 | March | BTRC Created |
| September | Brain tumour tissue bank created | |
| 2005 | September | Imperial College brain tumour registry established |
| 2009 | July | Launch of John Fulcher lab at Charing Cross Hospital (phase 1) |
| 2012 | April | Lab expansion (phase 2) |
| August | George Pickard PhD Fellowship created | |
| October | Launch of “Magic Wand” appeal Corrado Grassini PhD Fellowship created |
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| 2013 | November | Lab expansion (phase 3) |
| 2015 | September | Launch of Imperial College as a brain tumour centre of excellence |
| 2016 | December | Launch of the “Wall of Hope” at Charing Cross Hospital |
| 2017-18 | Work began by a research group studying a series of rare cancers, that spread to the brain, including mucosal melanoma and metastic brain tumours | |
| 2018-23 | A clinical study of wrist worn trackers for monitoring activity in brain tumour patients, being run at Charing Cross Hospital (Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust), was funded by BTRC | |
| 2020 | December | BTRC’s first “hybrid” Christmas Celebration was held at All Saints Fulham, with a live event which was live-streamed online for those unable to attend in rson due to Covid-19 restrictions |
| 2021 | February | A pilot study of non-invasive optical analysis in neurosurgery is launched at Charing Cross Hospital (Imperial Healthcare) and will run until November 2022 |
Who Benefits
Patients
- Access to state of the art diagnostic and therapeutic facilities
- Improved quality and quantity of patient survival
- Better understanding of the impact of the disease
Collaborators
- Research progress and successful results for research bodies and individuals
Scientists and Clinicians
- Facilitates collaboration and supports career paths for those who have made it their life’s work to tackle this disease
What they say…
Patient: Alexandra Dixon
Alexandra Dixon describes her treatment using the SonoWand funded by BTRC through the Magic Wand Appeal:
“After my surgery I was up and about the very next day and experienced no issues with my mental capacity or function. I was extremely lucky to have had access to this fantastic piece of equipment and now residents across West London will have access too. I really don’t know if I would be alive if it wasn’t for the SonoWand”
Patient: Maris Helvin
Marie Helvin (photo: Mike Owen) says:
“The diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating, as anyone who has been touched by the disease will know. They can affect anyone, at any age, at any time.My mother died from a brain tumour, just three months after being diagnosed so I know how important it is to understand more about them and why research must be better funded so that they are diagnosed quickly and everyone gets the best treatment. I am delighted to support the efforts of BTRC who are working so hard to find better treatments and hopefully, in the end, a cure for this devastating disease.”
Collaborator: Dr Nelofer Syed
Dr Nelofer Syed (head of the John Fulcher Laboratory) says:
“The best research comes though exchanging ideas and collaborating with other institutions”
Scientists and Clinicians: Dr Julia Langer
Dr Julia Langer, Corrado Grassini PhD Fellow, funded by BTRC:
“This phd research has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud to have worked towards progressing therapies for people living with and affected by glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumours.”
Scientists and Clinicians: Barbar Vasqas
Barbar Vasqas, Geroge Pickard Clinical Research Fellow, funded by BTRC:
“When you first operate on someone who is conscious you are nervous. It personalises it but that is a good thing. The brain makes you who you are. If you are a brain surgeon you are trying to preserve what makes a person who they are, so you do need to know what a person is like.”