brainstrust

PRESS RELEASE

Stephen Venables, the mountaineer, writer, broadcaster and public speaker, has agreed to become the latest patron of Brainstrust, the Meg Jones tumour charity, based in Cowes, the Isle of Wight.

Trust director, Helen Bulbeck said: "We are delighted to welcome Stephen Venables on board as a trust patron. Sadly, his eldest son, who had autism, died from a brain tumour and he wrote a touching best-selling book, Ollie.

"Stephen is passionate about promoting public understanding of the need to do more to provide solutions for people with brain tumours and is very keen to do an after-dinner tour."

Stephen Venable was the first Briton to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen, reaching the summit alone by a new route. He has climbed successfully for over 40 years, with many first ascents of previously unknown mountains to his name.

The other Brainstrust patrons are Professor Peter Black MD PhD, professor of neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and rated as one of the top ten doctors in the USA; Andrew McEvoy FRCS, a leading brain tumour consultant surgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London; Paul Grundy FRCS, a brain tumour consultant surgeon at the Wessex Neurological Unit in Southampton and former BBC newsreader, Jan Leeming.

Notes to Editors:

brainstrust creates solutions for people with brain tumours, as well as saving lives. The charitable trust is dedicated to improving proactive care for brain tumour sufferers and providing co-ordinated support in their search for treatment. It currently supports over 100 families who are battling brain tumours.

brainstrust was founded in 2006 after the charitable trust's icon, Meg Jones, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 19. Meg subsequently underwent successful neurosurgery for the removal of the tumour in Boston, USA, during the summer of 2007.

For more information, visit: www.brainstrust.org.uk

Brain Tumour Facts

• Brain cancer is the greatest cause of death among children after accidents.
• It accounts for one quarter of childhood cancer. Tumours of the central nervous system are the second most common form of cancer in children aged birth to 15 years.
• There is no UK-wide strategy for the treatment of, or research into, brain cancer.
• In the UK, there are 6,000 new cases of primary brain tumour every year.
• It is the fastest fatal disease in the over 65s. The incidence is increasing significantly in this age group.
• No structured research base exists for brain tumours, therefore treatment options are limited. It is not known why people get brain cancer.

For further press information on brainstrust or to arrange a photo opportunity contact brainstrust director Helen Bulbeck on 07788 722 156 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it