As many of you know, I work for a startup aiming to find therapies for brain tumours, with a particular focus on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). These types of tumours are incredibly aggressive, with an average survival time of 12–18 months post-diagnosis.

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.

Therapy options for patients diagnosed with GBM are limited, with the last FDA-approved drug (temozolomide) approved back in 2013. Currently, we do not know what causes GBM. There is no evidence to suggest it is hereditary or correlated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or diet. You are simply unlucky.

There is currently no cure for GBM, and fewer than 1% of all patients with a glioblastoma survive more than ten years. In the vast majority of cases, it is fatal.

Brain Tumour Research funds much-needed research into this devastating disease, including through its Centres of Excellence. The newest of these — and the first in Scotland — is dedicated to finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Based in Scotland, the centre will harness the expertise of leading Scottish researchers to benefit patients across the country. This vital work is being delivered in collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity.

To raise money for this charity, I will be running the Steall Mountain Marathon — a 42.2 km route from Kinlochleven over the Steall mountain range (Mamores) to the Ben Nevis car park in Fort William. This course includes 2,200 metres of vertical ascent and crosses some of the toughest and most exposed mountains in Scotland. It would be a serious challenge to walk, let alone run.

I am proud to be fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, the only national charity in the UK dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research into brain tumours. Please help me support the fight. Together, we will find a cure.

If you have any questions about brain tumours or the work we do at CoSyne Therapeutics to help find a cure, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.