Asher's amazing adventure!
Image: Gareth Davies Photography
Do you remember Asher Jenkin Jones – the daring 11-year-old who challenged himself to take on a major paddleboard adventure?
You may have read his story last March in your supporter magazine. We're delighted to report that he has completed his challenge, raising more than £2,000 for a number of charities including the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC), where he recieved life-saving treatment as a baby for three brain tumours.
Asher powered his paddleboard from Caldey Island off the Pembrokeshire coast back to Tenby Harbour – a distance of more than three miles in sometimes difficult weather conditions – a journey made all the more challenging because of his significant visual impairment, a disability caused by the treatment that save his life.
"I feel tired! VERY VERY tired! Everything aches!” Asher tells BBC Radio Derby presenter just moments after completing the challenge. “The wind kept blowing me of course and I’ve fallen off multiple times. Now it’s time for hot chocolate a shower and something to eat."
"I'm very, very proud. I'm lost for words" celebrates Tony, Asher's Dad who's been behind Asher every step of the way from training to the big day.
We send our congratulations to Asher and his father Tony, and thank everyone who has supported Asher on Just Giving.
For Asher, and hundreds of children like him, early diagnosis and fast treatment was the key to survival.
Your gifts to the CBTRC are helping our researchers and doctors undertake much-needed research that will help give all children with brain tumours the chance to live life to the full.
Thanks to you, we're appointing a new research Fellow
Thanks to your donations last Christmas, £62,932 has been raised to help appoint a new Clinical Research Fellow in Paediatric Neuro-Oncology.
This Fellowship will be focusing on developing a new human trial using infusional intrathecal therapy – where drugs are injected directly into the brain tumour to help improve treatment response and reduce the risk of severe disabilities which can be caused by other treatment methods.
The therapy is being delivered in a pilot phase in the Nottingham East Midlands Children's and Young Persons' Integrated Cancer Service (EMCYPICS), prior to expanding to a network of UK trial centres.
Thank you – your support is making a real difference.
Did you know?
On average, children in the UK wait up to three times longer for a brain tumour diagnosis that those in other developed countries. Prolonged and slow diagnosis can make long-term survivors up to 10 times more likely to suffer from a physical or learning impairment.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer,
yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
A big cheer for Asher!
For those who haven't done so, it's not too late to show your encouragement and sponsor Asher.