A family from Tavistock has raised over £9,000 in memory of their beloved sister, Lizzi Snaith, who passed away from a brain tumour in August 2023. March, which is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, marked the culmination of their fundraising efforts.

Paul Thompson, 46, was inspired to support Brain Tumour Research after losing his sister Lizzi, who was diagnosed with a high-grade astroblastoma brain tumour more than 15 years ago. Lizzi, who lived near Whitby in North Yorkshire, left behind her daughter Katie, who was 15 at the time of her passing.

On March 6, Paul, his wife Keri, and their daughter Daisy Pearce were invited to the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at The University of Plymouth to learn how their fundraising efforts are supporting research to improve diagnosis and treatment for those affected by brain tumours.

The University of Plymouth's research team is focused on low-grade brain tumours, which often develop into high-grade tumours with much poorer prognoses. The Centre is one of Europe's leading institutions for low-grade brain tumour research and collaborates with national and international groups to translate research into clinical benefits for patients.

Lizzi’s brain tumour was diagnosed in 2008 while she was eight months pregnant with Katie. She underwent four operations, several courses of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and Gamma Knife treatment throughout the years, all while being a dedicated mother and fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.

Despite knowing her tumour would return, Lizzi remained determined, saying, “It will always grow back and I will never get a break. The disease is incurable and I just have to go through the motions, living from scan to scan.”

To mark the first anniversary of Lizzi's death in August 2023, Paul embarked on a two-week, 1,071-mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to continue her fundraising legacy. He was joined by other family members, and his wife Keri supported them along the route.

Paul expressed, “Lizzi was the bravest and kindest person we know. She raised thousands of pounds for brain tumour research while battling the disease herself, all while being a wife and mother. We want to continue her legacy.”

Initially, the family set a target to raise enough to sponsor two days of research, but the generosity of donors enabled them to sponsor three days of research. Paul added, “The government doesn’t give enough money to research brain tumours, and it doesn’t recognize the terrible impact they have on families. It’s some comfort to think that the donations made in Lizzi’s memory are helping to make a difference for people diagnosed with brain tumours in the future.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, more women under 35 than breast cancer, and more men under 70 than prostate cancer.

During their visit to the University of Plymouth, Lizzi's family toured the research labs, where they spoke with scientists and placed three tiles dedicated to Lizzi on the Wall of Hope at the Centre. Each tile represents the £2,740 it costs to sponsor a day of research.

Paul said, “Sadly, it’s too late for Lizzi, but I hope the money raised in her memory will bring us closer to finding a cure and save other families from going through what we have.”

Louise Aubrey, the community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, expressed gratitude for Lizzi’s family’s support, stating, “We hope their visit to our Centre of Excellence at Plymouth provided insight into all we are doing to improve treatment options and ultimately find a cure.”

“With just 13% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour surviving beyond five years, compared to an average of 54% across all cancers, it is vital that we increase funding. Since records began in 2002, just 1% of national cancer research funding has been allocated to brain tumours. This must change.”

For more information about sponsoring a day of research, visit Brain Tumour Research’s website.