Legacy of County Durham woman 'will live on through brain tumour research'

Published 16th Sep 2016

We're told the legacy of a County Durham’s Anna Swabey, who lost her battle to terminal cancer, will live on through the fight for more research.

Campaigners say the legacy of the late Anna Swabey will live on in the fight for more research into brain tumours.

Anna was just 25 years old when she lost her life to the terminal illness last Friday.

She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in January 2015 and since then blogged, fundraised and campaigned to get brain tumour research high on the governments agenda.

In an interview with us earlier this year, she said:

“It’s perhaps too late for myself but if something can be done, if something can be changed to increase funding into brain tumour research just think of the difference it could make and how many lives could be saved.”

Earlier this year Anna appeared in Westminster after a petition set up by Maria Lester reached more than 100,000 signatures.

In its response, the Government announced this June that it accepts that action is needed to address the serious concerns expressed by the Committee and by people who signed the e-petition. The Government also admitted that not enough research is being carried out to reduce the significant disease burden caused by brain tumours.

Now they’re working on convening a working group of clinicians, charities and officials to discuss how to address the need for more brain tumour research.

Hugh Adams, from Brain Tumour Research, said:

“When we campaign, when we go to Westminster, when we form the task and finish working group on brain tumours, Anna Swabey will never be far from our minds.

“Anna’s legacy will be her fundraising, her lobbying, her campaigning the fact that now things have moved on… Not quickly enough for Anna but we’re starting to make a difference for those diagnosed with a brain tumour.