A RUGBY family’s petition – calling for more funding into brain tumour research – has become the first ever to prompt a Parliamentary report and debate.
The petition – launched by the Realf family after they lost their son Stephen, a trainee pilot with the RAF, to a brain tumour at the age of 26 – amassed more than 120,000 signatures, and will be debated in Parliament in April.
It prompted the Petitions Committee to produce its first ever report, which recommends measures be immediately taken to increase awareness among health professionals of the symptoms of brain tumours.
The report concludes “patients with brain tumours are failed at every stage – from diagnosis and treatment to research funding”, placing the onus on the Government to correct decades of under-funding.
Maria Lester, Stephen’s sister who started the petition with the support of the charity Brain Tumour Research, welcomed the report and said it was vital funding was increased.
She said: “The evidence makes for powerful reading, and I hope it will pave the way for fast and meaningful action.
“I would urge the Government not to turn a blind eye, but to look at ways in which the UK could become a world leader in brain tumour research.
“It may be too late for my brother Stephen, but it is not too late to save others from this cruel disease.”
At a reception in Westminster to acknowledge those who shared and signed the online petition, she added: “When the first anniversary of Stephen’s death came around, I wanted to do something that didn’t dwell on the tragedy of the situation, but which reflected his incredible positivity of spirit.
“The idea of a petition took hold, and after six short months we had gone from one boy to 120,000 signatures and an upcoming parliamentary debate.”
Also speaking at the event, Sue Farrington Smith, chief of Brain Tumour Research, said it would take 100 years to find a cure at the current rate of spend.
Helen Jones MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, said: “The Petitions Committee’s first report makes clear recommendations to the Government about the lack of funding for research into brain tumours.
“As part of this inquiry we heard testimonies both from victims of this terrible disease, and from clinical specialists working in the area.
“The evidence was clear – something must be done to improve outcomes for patients, and barriers to research must be removed. It is a vitally important issue and I hope the Government takes our recommendations seriously.”
The Committee has scheduled a debate in the House of Commons on Monday April 18 at 4.30pm, to be led by Helen Jones MP.
