Statement from the Brain Tumour Action Committee
Brain Tumour Action (BTA) held an Extraordinary General Meeting on the 18th February 2023 to carry out a review of the charity’s spending and operations, whereby it was decided to close the charity. The decision to close down BTA was not made lightly and comes as a culmination of reasons including reduction in donations following the pandemic and being solely volunteer run, we have found difficulty in sourcing new volunteers to continue the work in place of longstanding committee members who have decided to step down.
Achievements
We would like to remember some of the achievements and memorable moments that the charity has had over the last 30+ years.
- Established a brain tumour support group in Edinburgh which has run for over 30 years and has helped numerous patients and their families with brain tumour diagnosis.
- Development of several booklets distributed to hospitals nationwide providing information on living with a brain tumour.
- An awareness campaign named ‘Bang on the door’ comprising informative videos highlighting the variation of brain tumour symptoms in young adults and stories based on real-life experiences.
- Organisation of annual brain tumour family day out hosted by Blair Drummond safari park and enjoyed by many.
- Annual KITE newsletters produced by the charity celebrating the achievements of the year.
- Supplied funding to research projects including a cannibidiol research project looking into this as an complimentary treatment in children’s brain tumour cells and research into the epigenetics of childhood brain tumours.
- Funding the training of specialist neuro-oncology nurses.
- Providing aromatherapy services to brain tumour patients whilst undergoing treatment in hospital wards.
- A 24/7 support line run by volunteers which has provided invaluable support to people over the years.
- Campaigning at government level to raise awareness of patient concerns and highlight the need for a greater funding commitment to research into brain tumours.
BTA legacy
The charity felt strongly that it was important to secure, to the best of our ability, the continuation of the brain tumour support group that we have worked closely with over the years. Therefore BTA has made a substantial donation to Maggies Edinburgh, from its remaining funds, to ensure the continuation of the support group for the foreseeable future.
Thank you
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the fundraisers, volunteers, support group, committee members (past and present), medical professionals and all other individuals/organisations who have supported Brain Tumour Action over the years.
Brain Tumour Action Committee