Mum of boy, 11, with brain tumours calls for research funding boost

Helen Clark said more funding was needed to research into brain tumours like those suffered by her son, Bailey

The mum of a boy, 11, who suffers from brain tumours says she is "angry" about what she claims is a lack of funding for research into the condition.

At the age of seven, Bailey Clark, from Hull, was diagnosed with a glioma and two further growths were later found.

Mum Helen Clark, 47, said the level of funding for brain tumour research was "ridiculous".

The Department for Health and Social Care said it had invested "in every suitable research application made".

Bailey underwent chemotherapy in 2019 but was later told it had not worked

Before his brain tumours were discovered, Bailey already had a rare genetic condition which was linked to his autism, epilepsy, low muscle tone, hypermobility and visual impairment, Ms Clark said.

However, in summer 2018 he suffered a seizure which they felt was different to those associated with his epilepsy.

A scan revealed Bailey had a glioma, which led to eight months of chemotherapy, starting in April 2019.

In November that year, Ms Clark said they were told the chemotherapy had not worked.

'It makes me angry'

Another MRI scan in November 2020 showed a second tumour had grown next to the original one, while a third was found in September 2022.

Ms Clark, a former pharmacy manager, said: "I felt so angry because Bailey had gone through so much for nothing."

She added "Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

"Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.

"The low level of funding is ridiculous and it makes me so angry. Much more needs to be done."

Bailey was first diagnosed with a glioma in January 2019 and two more were later discovered

The Brain Tumour Research charity said it had called on the government to increase investment in finding out more about the disease.

Matthew Price, community development manager at the charity, said: "For too long, governments have put brain tumours on the 'too difficult to think about' pile.

"Five years after the government announced £40m for brain cancer research, just £15m has been spent."

However, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that since May 2018, the government had spent £33.9m on brain cancer research.

'Investing in infrastructure'

In addition to £40m allocated for brain tumour research in 2021-22, the DHSC said the National Institute for Health and Care Research had spent over £101m on research into cancer.

A DHSC spokesperson added: "We've invested in every suitable research application made.

"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."

Ms Clark said she now hoped to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Research charity, taking on a "100 a day, Your Way" exercise challenge.