THE family of a young woman who died from a brain tumour have raised more than £3,500 to fund research in her memory.
Melissa and Rebecca Foulis were invited to attend the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Centre of Excellence at Imperial College in London to see how their funds will help scientists who are dedicated to finding a cure.
They raised the money in memory of their sister Alexandra, from Knaresborough, who began experiencing weakness on the right-hand side of her face when she was 22. She was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma brain tumour and underwent nine months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy but died in August 2011, aged 24.
Following her death, Rebecca and Melissa founded the fundraising group, Alexandra’s Angels.
The Centre of Excellence, one of four receiving funding from the Brain Tumour Research, is focused on improving treatments for brain tumour patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.
Alexandra’s Angels also had the opportunity to place a tile on the Wall of Hope where each tile represents the £2,740 it costs to fund a day of research.
Melissa, also from Knaresborough, said: “It was such a special experience visiting the research centre and meeting the scientists who are dedicated to finding a cure for brain tumours. After seeing all the important work that’s happening, we’re even more proud to be fundraising in Alexandra’s name. Without these research centres, more and more families will have to suffer the devastation that ours did.”
Matthew Price, Community Fundraising Manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to Melissa, Rebecca and everyone at Alexandra’s Angels for supporting research at our Centre of Excellence.
"We are really pleased they have been to see the research taking place at Imperial College, and had the opportunity to place tiles on the Wall of Hope. Stories like Alexandra’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.”
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research, go to https://www.braintumourresearch.org/donation/donate-now
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here