Brain Tumour Research reveal new director of fundraising

Brain Tumour Research, which is based on Chalkdell Drive in the town, announced that 50-year-old Jason Rigby will join the team, who sadly lost his father and brother to glioblastoma, an aggressive and inoperable form of the disease.

Jason’s father, Andrew Gardner, died in June 2019 at the age of 73 following his brave battle with the illness, whilst his brother, Patrick, passed away when he was just 17 having undergone surgery and treatment 30 years ago.

Prior to his passing, Andrew and his wife, Pat, had run an upmarket clothes shop in Wendover near Aylesbury for several years.

Patrick, who died in his teens, was Jason’s only sibling.

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Jason, who is from Hungerford in Berkshire, said: “We all go through tragedy but I feel that this appointment gives me the opportunity of a lifetime to turn my experience into something positive and to make a difference to a cause that is so dear to my heart.

“I was 19 when Patrick died.

According to Brain Tumour Research, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 (stock photo)

“He was the quiet, intelligent one and I was the older brother who was always looking out for him.

“I can remember being called to the hospital where he was lying with a tube helping him to breathe. When he died, there was a sense of relief that his suffering was over.

“It seemed almost unbelievable for dad to be diagnosed with the same type of tumour 30 years later.

“It’s hard to imagine the pain Mum has been through, having to bury her son and then losing her husband to the same disease when they should have been enjoying their well-earned retirement.

“Sadly, my family is not alone.

“Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age.

“I consider myself privileged to be able to work to help other families who have been affected and I look forward to making a difference in memory of my father and my brother and on behalf of the many, many others who have been touched by this cruel disease.”

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Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Chief executive, Sue Farrington Smith MBE, said: “Jason joins at a challenging time.

“Thanks to our loyal supporters and a restructure of the team we remain confident in our ambition to extend our network of Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence in the UK.

“Our vision is to find a cure for brain tumours and we look forward to getting back on track with our growth strategy while recovering the £1 million which was lost to research because of the pandemic.”

For more information, visit www.braintumourresearch.org.