A thank you and an update

Dear Supporters,

We promised we wouldn’t slow down, and we haven’t — it’s been another busy week and a positive start to February 2026. We have so much news to share, and a few asks from all of you once again.

Thanks to your support — BCJ’s momentum is building, and we continue to be your voice, making sure it’s heard! We won’t stay silent, and with your vital support, in the year ahead, we’ll keep raising awareness on behalf of Brain Cancer Patients until our unfulfilled hopes become policy and bring real change.

Following our last update on Parliament, with much legitimate caution we welcome the announcement and the launch of the National Cancer Plan along with a debate in Parliament held on Monday, February 9th, 2026, in the House of Commons on “Increasing Survival Rates of Brain Tumours” and the following day, Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, the Brain Tumour APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group)

While we welcome the announcement of the “National Cancer Plan” campaigners remain somewhat sceptical, given the déjà vu moments of the past—how many plans have different governments rolled out? What lessons have been learned, and how many ministers have once again come forward with new initiatives promising to ‘turn the tide’ and ‘shift the dial’? To truly achieve their goals, the government needs to present detailed, actionable plans that include a clear roadmap with specific steps, timelines, and milestones to turn ambitions into tangible results. We also need transparency on how this cancer plan will lead to meaningful progress for brain cancer patients, rather than just another unkept promise. We acknowledge that the National Cancer Plan is specific to England, our efforts will continue across the UK to ensure that the treatment and care for brain cancer patients is equitable, no matter where they live.

Brain Cancer patients cannot be left wanting and waiting - clinging on to only empty words of hope and unfulfilled ambitions from another failed plan -from another minister!

We are impatient and will not be left hanging again for years -we want change and actions to be taken now.

GOVERNMENT TALKS POLICY OVER YEARS - BRAIN CANCER CAN DEVASTATE PRECIOUS LIVES IN A MATTER OF WEEKS!

We must, and we will not stop reminding them!

You can read the cancer plan by clicking here.

Monday, 9th February 2026

We are deeply grateful to all the MPs who spoke with heartfelt compassion, sharing personal stories during the debate, especially Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP and Charlie Maynard MP, who led the debate. There was a strong sense of determination and advocacy among parliamentarians for change, as they actively urged the Minister to turn their promises into concrete actions and to translate words of ambition into deeds. They emphasised that good intentions alone won’t suffice — we need urgent structural reforms, a clear roadmap with full accountability, whole-genome sequencing using ‘snap frozen’ tissue, more clinical trials, and new treatments for brain cancer patients, which successive governments have let down and failed to provide.

You can listen to the full debate or read the transcript by clicking on the links
- Read by clicking here
- Watch by clicking here

Tuesday, February 10th, 2026

Matthew Wilson, representing BCJ, delivered a heartfelt and passionate speech emphasising that where patients live should never determine their treatment. He highlighted the importance of fulfilling commitments outlined in The Cancer Plan and called for a dedicated Specialist Lead for Rare Cancers. This role would help address and fully understand the complex challenges faced in brain cancer care, ensuring effective plans are implemented, and that we all stand united in demanding justice for brain cancer patients—past, present, and those still to come.

We are right to remain sceptical - until we see plans or promises of further ambition, turned into meaningful actions and progress for patients.

We were all moved by Matthew’s powerful words and sincerely thanked him.

The guest speakers included the three Co-leads of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Brain Tumour Research Consortium:

Professor Darren Hargrave, a Professor of Paediatric Neuro-oncology at University College London and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Professor Juanita Lopez, a Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden.

Mr Richard Mair, an Associate Professor of Neurosurgical Oncology and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Cambridge.

These distinguished clinical leaders are highly regarded for their passionate dedication, exceptional leadership, and commitment to improving patient outcomes. They work tirelessly within the NHS on behalf of all cancer patients. They also kindly took the time to share their insights, alongside Dan Knowles, Karen Noble from Brain Tumour Research, and Cameron Miller from The Brain Tumour Charity.

Discussions also covered strategies to support patients without genome sequencing, address low-grade gliomas, and strengthen advocacy efforts across all age groups. The consortium’s inclusive approach encompasses emerging technologies, broadening their reach. Concerns were raised about slow funding processes, limited access to clinical trials, and issues with data transparency—highlighting barriers to referrals such as restrictions on data sharing and underscoring the urgent need for universal genomic testing. The meeting stressed the importance of tackling geographic disparities, appointing a Rare Cancers Specialist Lead, and overcoming challenges outlined in the Cancer Plan and community engagement efforts. There was strong consensus on the importance of storing all surplus tumour tissue for research and data collection, and on updating governance frameworks to better support these priorities.

However, despite the fanfare of the government’s early announcements, we remain deeply concerned that none of these plans will come to fruition for brain cancer patients unless the Consortium secures full, ring-fenced funding and becomes fully operational. What is most concerning is that the NIHR announced an investment of £13.7m in December 2025 and although the allocation has been made, the consortium does not appear to have full access to the promised funds. If this is correct, the lack of urgency is astounding. As Dame Siobhain McDonagh said, “time is brutally short for patients”

While confusion surrounds the actual allocation, suspicion persists that the promised funds are not being released. When different ministers quote figures ranging between £13.7m to £25m, the impression is given that they do not really know what is being spent to date.

No wonder we’re feeling sceptical!

Campaigners like us have been pleading with a minister to meet with us — not to bring problems to their door, but to work together to find solutions. Despite ministers being aware of the stark reality — that brain cancer is the leading cause of premature cancer death among children and those under 40 — they repeatedly refuse to meet, citing a busy schedule. Yet they claim they will “leave no stone unturned,” ‘turn the tide,” and ‘shift the dial’ for brain cancer patients.

We can’t help but notice that ministers are quick to meet with celebrity campaigners, especially those from reality TV shows. Meanwhile, those of us who have been tirelessly campaigning for years find it difficult to get any response.

If you know one, or even if you are one, please help us! We genuinely appreciate and value your ongoing support!

Please consider reaching out to your MP if you haven’t already. These debates and issues highlight how important it is for supporters like you to write, campaign, and encourage your MP to speak up and represent your voice in parliament.

Together, we can turn this hope into reality—a future where a brain cancer diagnosis shifts from ‘Terminal’ to ‘Treatable.’

Thank you so much for your support!

Together, BCJ collective voice is powerful. We’ve achieved so much, but we can’t stop now.

Let’s keep pushing forward and ensure we are heard. Your support is more important than ever—together we are making a real impact!