Derbyshire mum whose daughter was given months to live calls for more research funding

She's raising money for specialist cancer treatment overseas

Author: Ellis MaddisonPublished 11th Aug 2023
Last updated 11th Aug 2023

A Derbyshire mum, whose daughter was told she had just 15 months to live, is calling for better funding into brain tumour research.

Hannah Roberts was 19 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.

Hannah before and after treatment for her diagnosis

Her mum, Gail Iredale, from Willington, says she's struggled to find ways of extending her daughter's life, and is urging people to sign a petition for more Government funding into research

She's now hoping to raise ÂŁ150,000 for specialist DC-Vax treatment in America, which could give Hannah another 10 years:

'Figures are showing that it's a 50% survival rate over 10 years. Without the DC-Vax, it's a 1% chance of reaching 2 years. There's no research funding, in this country, for help for people that have glioblastoma.'

'Treatments for brain tumours haven’t improved in decades, and something’s got to change. I’m supporting the petition from Brain Tumour Research, calling for ring-fenced funding, because the Government needs to invest more money into research. It needs to support trials into alternative treatments so we can get them on the NHS, and not have to pay privately or go abroad.'

Gail said the whole community's come together to help them raise money, and has set up a Just Giving Page to afford the treatment:

'People are handing over things that they've been given for Christmas that they've got no use for. People selling pieces of furniture, bringing gift cards. Businesses... all the pubs are involved.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“Brain cancer can be a devastating disease - which is why we’ve specifically allocated £40 million for research in this area, on top of £1 billion a year for wider health research.

“We’ve invested in every suitable application made and the funding will continue to be available for further studies to develop new treatments and therapies for brain tumours.

“To encourage further successful applications, we are investing in infrastructure, workshops for researchers and training for clinicians.”

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