Katie Crookes
Baking for Brains
Fundraising for Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre - University of Nottingham
Story
Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
In August 2013 my world was turned upside down when after a few visits to the Drs, several blood tests and a couple of scans, I was diagnosed with what was believed to be a Pituitary Macroadenoma, but turned out to be a rare brain tumour called a Gangliocytoma. Luckily it was benign and thanks to the skills of the medical team a majority of the tumour has been removed and I’ve made a great recovery. There have been ups and downs, doubts, worries, concerns and tears, but with the support of so many people I got through it. During my illness and recuperation I’ve had the time (dangerous I know) to research the subject. I’ve seen some frightening statistics about just how common they are combined with a fairly low level of research into their causes and treatments.
· In the UK, brain tumours are the largest cause of children’s cancer deaths.
· Over 500 children are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year. 25% of these will die – one child every three days.
· Cancers that begin in another part of the body which go on to result in a tumour in the brain (secondary brain tumours) are estimated to outnumber primary brain tumours by a factor of 3 to 1.
· Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and management of brain tumours.
· Over 500million is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 2% is spent on brain tumours.
Through my research I am now aware there is an intra-operative MRI scanner available to aid surgeons to in most cases completely remove a brain tumour. This will improve patient survival and quality of life by reduction in requirements of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the need for repeat operations. An intra-operative MRI can be used during surgery which is hugely important as often the brain ‘shifts’ as the skull is opened and the tumour is removed – scans done pre op quickly become inaccurate. In my case the tumour is positioned around a carotid artery (the main artery which supplies blood to the brain), with this equipment the surgeons would have been able to confidently ensure no damage to this main artery.
The cost of purchasing this type of kit and 5yrs running cost is over £1.6 million.
The good news is many fantastic people are already supporting this initiative to fund both research and the intra-operative MRI .
Now it’s my turn………..
So…what’s Baking for Brains and how can you help?
It’s pretty simple really…..Bake, sell and eat cake! Bake a cake, sell it and either text or go online to donate your proceeds.
Text KCBB99 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070 or go on line to www.justgiving.com/bakingforbrains
Please help me to raise awareness and spread the word by posting a photo of yourself and your cake to your Facebook page and the Baking for Brains page. Encourage your friends & family to do the same!!
Thank you for your support. By fundraising you will bring us closer to understanding how to treat brain tumours so that more people can survive and those that do are less likely to face disability.
Best Wishes and happy baking
Katie
· In the UK, brain tumours are the largest cause of children’s cancer deaths.
· Over 500 children are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year. 25% of these will die – one child every three days.
· Cancers that begin in another part of the body which go on to result in a tumour in the brain (secondary brain tumours) are estimated to outnumber primary brain tumours by a factor of 3 to 1.
· Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and management of brain tumours.
· Over 500million is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 2% is spent on brain tumours.
Through my research I am now aware there is an intra-operative MRI scanner available to aid surgeons to in most cases completely remove a brain tumour. This will improve patient survival and quality of life by reduction in requirements of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the need for repeat operations. An intra-operative MRI can be used during surgery which is hugely important as often the brain ‘shifts’ as the skull is opened and the tumour is removed – scans done pre op quickly become inaccurate. In my case the tumour is positioned around a carotid artery (the main artery which supplies blood to the brain), with this equipment the surgeons would have been able to confidently ensure no damage to this main artery.
The cost of purchasing this type of kit and 5yrs running cost is over £1.6 million.
The good news is many fantastic people are already supporting this initiative to fund both research and the intra-operative MRI .
Now it’s my turn………..
So…what’s Baking for Brains and how can you help?
It’s pretty simple really…..Bake, sell and eat cake! Bake a cake, sell it and either text or go online to donate your proceeds.
Text KCBB99 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070 or go on line to www.justgiving.com/bakingforbrains
Please help me to raise awareness and spread the word by posting a photo of yourself and your cake to your Facebook page and the Baking for Brains page. Encourage your friends & family to do the same!!
Thank you for your support. By fundraising you will bring us closer to understanding how to treat brain tumours so that more people can survive and those that do are less likely to face disability.
Best Wishes and happy baking
Katie
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