Barry was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiformae brain tumours in 2019. To date there is no cure for this highly aggressive cancer.  Current treatments aim to prolong survival time but accept that in time their impact will fail.

The Francis Crick Institute houses research laboratories that investigate cancer tumour evolution, biology and progression, they also look at how cancer responds to treatment therapies. 

One team are currently looking at the use of how fat droplets can protect some cells against stress as a novel strategy to treat glioblastoma. A further team is studying brain cell connections to enable better modelling of brain cancer. A third team are designing new technologies to aid brain surgery- smart needling to assist surgeons with distinguishing between healthy and tumour tissue to minimise neurological damage during operations while ensuring sufficient tissue is removed to reduce re occurrence. 

Please join with me in fundraising in memory of Barry- he wanted any donations to be directly linked to efforts for curing brain tumours. If you undergo any sponsored events Jude, Joel and I would be delighted to learn of them. Please use the reference 'Philanthropy JR' to aid tracking of any donations.

Thank you

Jo Armstrong December 2020