Family of Cornwall man whose life was taken by a brain tumour welcomes £2.8 million research funding
The money will support breakthroughs at Plymouth’s Brain Tumour Research Centre
The family of a Cornwall man who died from an aggressive brain tumour, has shared their relief and gratitude after £2.8 million in funding was announced for brain tumour research in Plymouth.
The money will be invested at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth over the next five years, supporting studies into the mechanisms behind both low and high-grade tumours such as glioblastoma, a tumour type that often proves fatal within 12 to 18 months of diagnosis.
42-year old Scott Fielding, a long-distance truck driver and talented musician from Cornwall, passed away on 2nd September 2016, 12 months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma following difficulty concentrating and issues with speech.
Speaking about the newly announced funding, Scott’s father Nigel Fielding said:
“It may be too late for Scott, but this funding for research is a real positive step in the right direction.”
His family detailed their experience when Scott first became unwell in 2015, aware of the importance of grasping hope even in the face of late diagnoses.
Scott’s mother Diane Fielding added:
“We were terrified when we heard the diagnosis, but you cling to hope. We had 18 extra months with Scott, and we’re grateful for every day. He faced everything with such strength and humour. To see £2.8 million invested by Brain Tumour Research shows that progress is being made, and it gives us comfort to know that sharing Scott’s story is helping to drive change for others.”
Funding for research and community fundraising
The £2.8m grant, awarded by Brain Tumour Research, will focus on uncovering how tumours evade the immune system and testing drug combinations to block the signals that drive tumour growth.
Funds will also expand the Plymouth Biobank, a nationally significant resource housing patient-linked tissue and genetic data to support future breakthroughs.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet only 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to the disease.
Nigel, alongside the wider gaming community, now dedicates his efforts to highlighting the condition's impact and raising research funding through the Rokemoke Memorial Trophy Series.
The annual online Grand Prix honours Scott, an avid racing gamer, and raised £600 in 2023 for Brain Tumour Research. The tournament, organised by Jason Carter of the Grumpy British Racing Club, continues to grow each year in Scott’s memory.
Jason said: “Scott was a valued member of our community, funny, friendly, and fiercely passionate about racing. Naming the tournament after him felt like the right way to keep his spirit alive. Every year, when we race, we’re celebrating Scott as much as we’re competing.”
Sustained research for progress
Centres like Plymouth are vital in driving forward discoveries about brain tumours. Their long-term investment brings together world-class scientists, clinicians and laboratory resources in a focused pipeline, enabling transformative research into effective treatments.
Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said:
“Scott’s story shows just how cruel and indiscriminate brain tumours can be. Nigel and Diane’s decision to turn their grief into something positive through the Rokemoke Memorial Trophy Series is incredibly inspiring. Every race and every pound raised helps us get closer to a cure.”
Brain Tumour Research continues to campaign for greater investment in research, calling for a national annual spend of £35 million to improve survival rates and treatments in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.