Thanks to the incredible success of the Crossland Family for Brain Cancer Research fundraising efforts, we are excited to announce a new chapter in our journey. A dedicated fundraising consortium has been established to further maximise the impact of donations, with a primary goal of funding the purchase of an MRI Scanner in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

Moving forward, the Crossland family fundraising will be partnering with Brain Tumour Focus, a passionate and dedicated group of individuals and organisations committed to supporting brain cancer research.

As part of this transition, this fundraising page will be closing, and we will no longer be accepting donations here. However, our mission continues. There are multiple fundraising plans and events unfolding in the coming months. To stay involved and continue supporting this important cause, please contact give@leeds.ac.uk for further information.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and kindness of everyone who has supported The Crossland Family for Brain Cancer Research has raised an incredible £50,000 to fund the purchase of an MRI scanner, an essential piece of equipment that will transform patient outcomes and improve countless lives.

The donations we've received to date will now be transferred to Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust to make this vital purchase possible. Your donations, encouragement, and dedication have made a huge impact. Thank you.

The Brain Tumour Focus consortium is an exciting new beginning. Together, we are making a lasting impact in the fight against brain cancer. 

We have now ceased accepting donations towards this project.

Melanie’s Story

My name is Melanie Crossland, and this is my story. In January 2023, after a seizure in November 2022, I was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. The shock was indescribable. Despite feeling fit and well, I was told I had cancer, and it was information that was just impossible to grasp.

Determined to understand my condition better, I went back to my neurosurgeon, Associate Professor Ryan Mathew, with more questions. I underwent a biopsy, which revealed a slow-growing tumour. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy did shrink the tumour, it did not make it operable. This journey was tough, and the wait between MRI scans every three months and their results has been agonizing. However, this clarity gave me a plan and a sense of direction.

Throughout this ordeal, I have felt blessed to have the knowledge and support I do. It has put my life into perspective, and I now prioritize family and friends above all else. I realized that I could use my experience to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer research.

I discovered that brain tumours are the biggest killer of children and those under 40, yet only 1% of cancer funding is allocated to brain cancer research. This is shocking, especially since science hasn’t significantly advanced in the past 30 years. When I asked Ryan why this is, he simply said “Mel, we don’t know – it’s just bad luck.”

With the guidance of Associate Professor Ryan Mathew, I learned about a £350,000 portable MRI scanner that could revolutionize brain cancer diagnostics and treatment. This scanner:

• Has an ultra-low field, meaning it doesn’t require a special room, making it less intimidating for patients.
• Can be wheeled around wards, allowing parents to be with their children during scans, holding their hand and talking to them.
• Can be taken into theatres to check if enough of the tumour has been removed during surgery, reducing the need for additional procedures.
• Can be used in community settings, such as GP surgeries and supermarket car parks, to detect brain tumours early.

I am asking for your support to help fund this groundbreaking MRI scanner. Together, we can make a significant difference in the fight against brain cancer. Your contributions can help ensure that others don’t have to wait until it’s too late for a diagnosis. I believe that all of us can make a difference. Please join me in this crucial endeavour.

Thank you.

Why Your Donation Matters: Brain cancer affects people of all ages and lifestyles, with no clear genetic or lifestyle causes. Each year, around 9,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain cancer, yet it remains under-researched and under-funded. Despite advancements in other cancers, the prognosis for brain cancer patients has barely changed in 20 years. Currently, early detection is unreliable. Treatment typically involves major surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but brain cancer remains incurable and often fatal, with only one in seven adults surviving five years after diagnosis.

Our Research Goals: University of Leeds researchers aim to develop new and kinder treatments, making a difference for those living with brain cancer now. Innovations include using AI for earlier detection, understanding and eliminating resistant cancer cells, personalizing and enhancing brain tumour surgery, delivering new treatments directly into tumour cavities post-surgery, and implementing XR technologies to empower patients and improve recovery.

Your Impact: By making a donation, you will support crucial research that brings us closer to understanding, detecting, and preventing this devastating disease. Your generosity can help save lives and offer hope to those affected by brain cancer.

If you would like to make a donation, please use the black 'Make a Donation' button. The red button is for donations to support students at the University of Leeds.