An experienced fundraiser has joined a national charity which is funding scientific research in the South West searching for a cure for brain tumours.
Susan Turnock has been appointed as Regional Fundraising Manager by Brain Tumour Research. She will be responsible for the charity’s fundraising activities in the region, working closely with the team at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence within the University of Plymouth.
With almost 20 years’ experience in charity fundraising, Susan, who is married with three sons, brings a wealth of experience to the role. She has previously worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care, The National Trust, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Exeter Leukaemia Fund.
Susan said:
“I'm very excited to be joining the team at Brain Tumour Research and look forward to working with all our supporters and volunteers to raise funds for research at the University of Plymouth Centre of Excellence. Brain tumours can affect anyone and this is such a devastating disease which is so poorly under-funded.”
Funds have been boosted by Santander in Plymouth which chose Brain Tumour Research as its Charity of the Year 2014/2015 and similar support has come from the University of Plymouth and the University RAG. Anyone interested in becoming an active volunteer can contact Susan at SusanT@braintumourresearch.org
In Plymouth, the research team is led by Professor Oliver Hanemann. Based at the University of Plymouth Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the work is focused on low-grade tumours in teenagers and adults. By identifying and understanding the mechanism that makes a cell become cancerous, the team explores ways in which to halt or reverse that mechanism. A key innovation is fast track: testing new drugs in human primary cell cultures leading to innovative phase 0 trials leading to adaptive phase II/III trials with the potential for making drug therapies available to patients both safely and faster.
Sue Farrington Smith Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research said:
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable! We are striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres whilst challenging the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research. We are delighted to have Susan join us and help us fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.”
Christian Burden, Director of Development at University of Plymouth, said:
“The University of Plymouth is delighted to be partnering with Brain Tumour Research in our joint mission to find new treatments for low-grade brain tumours. The research conducted at the University of Plymouth into low-grade brain tumours is regarded as world-leading, and will change the lives of sufferers of this disease in the future. Working in partnership with Brain Tumour Research, we are aiming to ensure that the Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth is well promoted and well supported across the South West, by anyone who has an interest and a passion for the work that is being carried out here in Plymouth.”