The National Brain Appeal Newsletter February 2018
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Making the news
There has been lots of publicity this month for the work we are supporting in Queen Square
The Evening Standard ran two features about a new brain cancer trial we are helping to fund. It will use immunotherapy to treat those affected by glioblastoma. This is one of the most aggressive forms of brain tumour, with an average survival of less than a year.
Immunotherapy is new type of treatment that boosts the body's immune system to fight tumours. This trial uses ipilimumab, which has delivered remarkable results in patients with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. About 45% of patients with advanced melanoma who received the drug were alive after two years. Melanoma and brain cancer share genetic similarities.
"This is the most important trial for brain cancer patients in the last 15 years"
Dr Paul Mulholland, consultant oncologist
There will be 120 places on the trial, with 80 patients receiving ipilimumab after the conventional treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Their outcomes will be compared with 40 who receive the conventional treatment. Dr Mulholland is extremely optimistic about new treatments for brain cancer.
The National Brain Appeal is raising £250,000 to fund the trial. Please support us if you can.
Roll up, roll up...
Who wants to enjoy a three-course meal at a top London restaurant for just £1? Yes - we are running our annual Valentine's Day Raffle, and yet-again it's packed full of great prizes!
Winners can enjoy a meal at Holborn eatery Woolf & Whistle; jewellery from Bimba y Lola; a Skinny Dip handbag; a make-up goody bag and much more.
Show your love for The National Hospital and enter today! Tickets cost only £1 each, and all proceeds help to fund projects in Queen Square. Winners will be drawn on 14 February 2018. Good luck!
Your mission...
...if you choose to accept, is to join us for a gala dinner in aid of The Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases.
We are raising £100,000 to benefit three key projects at the Queen Square centre. These include renovating an outdoor area so that daycare patients can enjoy fresh air in a comfortable, safe space. The money will also help three Clinical Nurse Specialists to complete their masters degree, and fund a Research Fellow for neuromuscular diseases for a year.
Join us at this black-tie event which will also include celebrity guests, music and a top comedian.
Saturday 12 May 2018, from 6.30pm, Lansdowne Club, Mayfair
Did you see?
Horizon last week documented one man's incredible journey after a severe stroke. Former UN peacekeeper Richard Gray attended the Upper Limb Neuro Rehabilitation Unit here in Queen Square as part of his recovery. The National Brain Appeal has funded some key pieces of rehab equipment in this unit through our Small Acorns Fund.
The Times called the documentary 'unmissable and uplifting'. If you missed it you can still catch it on BBC iPlayer.
The programme shows the need not only for long-term high-quality neuro rehab, but also for effective and timely treatments for severe stroke. Our Stroke Appeal aims to raise £1.5m to improve stroke care at The National Hospital so that more people can access life-saving services.
For more events, personal stories and how you can get involved, please visit
www.nationalbrainappeal.org, or follow us @brainappeal and on Facebook at fb/TheNationalBrainAppeal
Theresa, Marcelle, Cara, Leigh, Brooke, Alexis, Tina, Abbie, Eva and Jane
