Derek Thomas MP organises the Great Western Dog Walk for Brain Tumour Awareness Month

17 May 2023 | Support, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Event

We are delighted to see the return of a very special fundraising dog walk for Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2022.

Organised by Derek Thomas MP, it has been over two years since the last event was possible but on Saturday 26th March at 1 pm dogs and their owners are invited to join up with Derek in Wharfside Car Park, Penzance (close to Penzance Sailing Club) to walk along Long Rock (or as far as they can go), to raise funds and awareness of brain tumours.

Brain tumours are devastating and can affect anyone at any age. Scientists still do not know what causes them, or what the risk factors are.

With approximately 16,000 people diagnosed in the UK every year, an average of 45 each day, there are estimated to be over 100,000 people living with a brain tumour. In addition, the impact, often long-term, that this also has on families and loved ones means the number of lives affected, is many more. National Brain Tumour Awareness Month is an annual, nationwide opportunity to bring greater attention to brain tumours and the devastating impact they have on thousands of families in the UK every year.

Derek Thomas is MP for St Ives, West Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly, and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours. APPGs are groups of MPs and peers from across the political spectrum who have a particular interest in a subject. The APPG on Brain Tumours is campaigning for increased research on brain tumours and improved treatment, taking evidence from campaigners, patients and scientists.

The Great Western Dog Walk for brain tumour awareness was an annual tradition before the pandemic. The last dog walk raised over £500 and this year’s event is raising money both for research into brain tumours and for support for families who are facing the impact of a diagnosis, with funds going to charities Brain Tumour Support and Brain Tumour Research.

Ginny Brink, Support Services Manager for Brain Tumour Support, says: “Brain Tumour Support is delighted to be part of this special Brain Tumour Awareness Month dog walk.

“There’s certainly a unique bond formed with dogs, which we’ve seen on many occasions. They’re very special companions and can provide important support for someone facing the traumatic experience of brain tumour diagnosis and treatment. So as well as being a wonderful, fun event, the dog walk is also a very appropriate way to raise awareness and vital funds.

We’re extremely grateful to Derek Thomas MP for continuing to champion our cause, both in Westminster and beyond, and we know just how much that means to the many brain tumour patients and families we support throughout Cornwall.”

Derek says: “I am looking forward to this dog walk which is great for meeting with so many people who share an interest in beating brain tumours and raising money for vital research and support. “Brain Tumour Awareness Month is so important because so many people aren’t aware of this horrible form of cancer. “Anything we can do to raise awareness – and the funds needed for research and care – is going to help in the battle against brain tumours.”

#BrainTumourAwarenessMonth #BTAM2022 #SupportMatters #BecauseYouMatter #BrainTumourSupport #TogetherWeAreStronger