A BEREAVED Rugby dad has welcomed new government investment in research into brain tumours – the condition which took his son’s life at the age of just 26.
Peter Realf welcomed the announcement that more than £13million is being made available – with further announcements pending for funding into clinical trials for brain tumour patients.
Peter has worked tirelessly with the charity Brain Tumour Research for more than 10 years, ever since the death of his son Stephen – a trainee pilot who had been destined to be a high flyer in the RAF.
After Stephen died in 2014, Peter found purpose in campaigning with the charity for greater investment in research into the disease.
Stephen Realf was destined to be a high flyer in the RAF.
On the first anniversary of Stephen’s death, his family launched a petition which gained over 120,000 signatures, leading to a Westminster Hall debate and the establishment of a working group on brain tumours.
Peter said: “Stephen’s diagnosis with a brain tumour came six years after I was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. The difference in treatment options for the two types of cancer is stark. I was told that because of increased investment in research into leukaemia, I had an 80 per cent survival prognosis. 30 years previously, this had been just 20 per cent.
“While I’m proud of the role my family and countless others like ours have played in campaigning for change for brain tumour patients, I am annoyed that Stephen didn’t stand a chance and really frustrated that despite the success of the petition in 2015-16 and the Government’s promise of £40million in 2018, it has taken until now to see more of that money.
“It is more than a decade since Stephen died and we’re still waiting for brain tumour patients to gain the treatment breakthroughs that other cancers like leukaemia have.”
The announcement of the £13.7million investment is the culmination of a decade of campaigning work by Brain Tumour Research and supporters to increase funding by the Government into research for the disease.
The charity will be a partner in a new National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Brain Tumour Research Consortium, alongside other charities, hospitals, universities, cancer centres and patients.
Dan Knowles, CEO at Brain Tumour Research, said: “This is a significant step forward and we welcome this crucial investment in a disease that has been chronically underfunded.
“Today and every day, 35 people in the UK are told they have a brain tumour. We will continue to campaign for and alongside those people and their families to unlock government funding for research and innovation.
“We look forward to further announcements leading to vital greater investment, scientific breakthroughs, and clinical trials that will change the story for the brain tumour community.”
To donate, visit www.braintumourresearch.org/donate and add ‘Peter Realf’ as a comment.
