The family of a boy lost to a deadly brain tumour, aged just 13, is marking what would have been his 19th birthday by announcing a significant new investment in research.
Shay Patel, from Woburn Sands, passed away from a glioblastoma tumour just 22 months after his diagnosis. In his memory, his family created Shay’s Smiles, a Member Charity of Milton Keynes-based Brain Tumour Research.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. One in three children who die each year of cancer is killed by a brain tumour.
Shay’s Smiles is investing a total of £221,111, funding a three-year target validation study at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, including specialist researchers and research materials.
The announcement comes as the team reaches a pivotal stage in its work – identifying the most promising new targets and treatment options to be put forward for rapid pre-clinical testing, with the goal of progressing towards a clinical trial.
“Nothing prepares you for losing your child. Shay was robbed of his future and of being with us," said Shay’s mum, Niki O’Dea-Patel, "Every birthday without him is heartbreaking, but each passing year strengthens our resolve to help other families facing the horror of a paediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma, from which two-year survival is less than 10%.
“Despite trying everything – including exploring treatment options in the United States and Germany – we were told there was nothing more that could be done. No family should ever hear the words: ‘there is no more treatment available for your child’.
“As well as supporting families and vital research, we campaign tirelessly for the Government to take brain tumours more seriously and invest far more into research for a disease that takes more children’s lives than leukaemia.”
Dan Knowles, chief executive officer at Brain Tumour Research, added: "This remarkable contribution of more than £220,000 will help accelerate the vital work at the ICR, bringing us closer to clinical trials for kinder and more effective treatments for children diagnosed with paediatric-type diffuse gliomas.
“I urge everyone to donate to help fund life-saving research being carried out at our Centres of Excellence. Every pound raised sustains critical scientific progress, bringing much-needed hope to the thousands of families affected by brain tumours, while influencing the Government to invest more into research nationally.”
To donate, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or www.shayssmiles.org/shop
