My story:

On 21st March 2025, I received the heartbreaking news that I had a brain tumour. A few weeks later, I learned that it was inoperable and incurable completely knocking me for six. As a 46-year-old wife and mother, the statistics are terrifying (87% of brain tumour patients do not survive beyond five years, even with treatment).

Brain tumours are particularly cruel; they can rob individuals of their memory, speech, mobility, balance, eyesight, hearing and overall ability to function normally. Treatment is particularly risky and with very few options available too, there is a real lack of hope.

So much more needs to be done to research and understand brain tumours and yet for 2 decades treatments have not progressed. Meaning what was on offer 10-20 years ago is exactly the same as being offered now. This is due to low funding - only 1% of the cancer research budget is allocated to brain cancer....despite being one of the leading cancer killers in children and adults under 40. Make that make sense.

Since my diagnosis, I have been navigating this difficult journey with immense support from The Brain Tumour charity. They were among the first to offer help through their helpline and provide counselling services too. Their Children and Family team also guided us on how to talk to our 10 year old daughter about this situation. And the charity also provided additional support when my story was stolen and misrepresented by the media.

So Im on a mission to balance the books and hopefully raise essential funds to aid them in their research. Fortunately my tumour seems stable (touch wood) so I am spared the risky treatment options for now. Its entirely possible that the research that they are funding right now could make the difference to me and countless others like me in the coming years.

Your support (no matter how small) means everything. I just want to make a difference and to be able to offer hope for the future.

With thanks, Jane Roberts (and family) xx