Parents plea for more research into brain tumours after their son died from the disease
Ben Williams from Birmingham died from a brain tumour at just six-years-old
Last updated 31st Jul 2023
Parents from Kings Norton are calling for more research into Brain Tumours after their son died at just six-years-old.
Shortly after celebrating his fifth birthday in March 2018, Ben was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM). His diagnosis came as a shock after parents, Jo and Sam Williams noticed some unusual behaviour which developed into problems with his mobility and speech.
Sam said: "Our world just feel apart, the CT scan showed a mass in his brain, and pretty much immediately we were told it was cancer."
A CT scan revealed an inoperable mass growing in his brain stem. Ben underwent gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy which provided a period of hope for the family.
By May 2019, the cancer had grown aggressively and Ben died in a local hospice at just six years old.
Sam said: "It just feels there is so little out there, and in the past 20 or 30 years the treatment hasn't really changed or progressed and that feels really difficult."
Jo added: "I remember thinking how is that possible in a child who otherwise is so well, how are the options already so limited. "
Ben’s parents are working with charity, Brain Tumour Research, to help drive awareness and funding towards research to eventually find a cure for the disease.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age. They kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “For too long governments have put brain tumours on the ‘too difficult to think about’ pile. Five years after the Government announced £40 million for brain cancer research, less than £11 million has been spent.
"Patients and families continue to be let down by a funding system that is built in silos and not fit for purpose.
“If everyone can spare just a few minutes to sign and share, we will soon hit the 100,000 signatures we need and help find a cure, bringing hope to families whose loved ones have been affected by brain tumours.”
To sign and share the petition before it closes at the end of October 2023, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/petition