Brain Tumour researchers calls for more funding
The lack of Government funding almost halted progress of vital research
Last updated 18th Aug 2025
A Cornwall PhD researcher says a lack of Government funding almost halted progress of vital research into brain cancer.
Summer Henderson, 29, from Millbrook, is studying multi-drug resistance in two rare types of brain tumour, meningioma and schwannoma.
She is in her final year at the University of Plymouth which is home to one of the five Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence in the UK.
Her research is focusing on tumours linked to neurofibromatosis type 2, a hereditary condition which causes children to develop tumours at a young age, although adults can also develop them sporadically later in life.
Summer said:
“It’s been amazing and really eye-opening. Here, I work on real patient cells, testing different drugs to see if I can slow or kill the tumours. With clinical trials for these tumours having had limited success, I’m working to understand why drugs that should work aren’t doing so. It feels hopeful knowing a breakthrough could happen at any moment.”
Summer and her supervisor recently secured a grant to continue the project to the end of 2027.
Summer added:
“Because I work with rare brain tumours, we’ve had to apply for funding multiple times. It’s been difficult not knowing if we’d be able to continue our research. It really highlights how underfunded brain tumour research is.”
Alongside her studies she is raising vital funds to support ongoing research, including taking on the Barnstaple 10k run on 28 September to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
Letty Greenfield, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said:
“Summer’s work is a perfect example of the vital research which will one day lead to better treatments for patients with these devastating tumours. Her passion in the lab and commitment to fundraising show the incredible difference individuals can make. But without greater and sustained investment in brain tumour research, talented scientists like Summer will continue to face uncertainty about the future of their work. We need the Government to significantly increase funding so the UK can deliver world-class research that will ultimately lead to a cure”
Around 12,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year with them killing more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
You can find out more about Brain Tumour Research on their website.