Community / Fundraising appeal launched to help Bryan continue ‘life-saving’ brain tumour care
AN EMOTIONAL appeal to help fund the eye-watering cost for crucial, and hopefully life-saving brain tumour treatment has been made by the family of well-known local man Bryan Peterson.
Around £150,000 is needed over the next six months to continue private care and cancer treatment abroad, something not available through NHS Scotland.
The launch of the ambitious fundraiser today (Friday) coincides with Brain Tumour Awareness Month, a worldwide initiative to raise awareness of a condition that affects around 3,000 people in the UK every year.
As part of the awareness week, Bryan and wife Karlin are calling for better access to clinical trials and the urgent need for improved access to innovative treatments in Scotland.
Back in March last year, Bryan suffered a seizure at work and was taken to hospital.
An MRI scan revealed a lesion on his brain. After further seizures and more scans, doctors confirmed the devastating news: Bryan had an aggressive brain tumour called glioblastoma, one of the most challenging cancers that exist.
The average survival rate is between 12 and 16 months, with only between five to ten per cent of patients surviving the following five years.
Within weeks Bryan underwent awake brain surgery, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at NHS Grampian. There is no further treatment available under the NHS.
The 49-year old is a well-known figure throughout Shetland for his work in the arts and in education, as independent councillor for Shetland South and as the council’s depute convener.
Brain tumours receive only just one per cent of national cancer research funding, even though they kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer.
The pair described a vacuum of guidance that left many patients turning to unreliable online sources.
However Karlin has been unwavering and steadfast during this distressing time, committed to making sure that Bryan gets the best treatment available.
Bryan threw himself into researching every possible option, while Karlin set about turning that information into action. Together, they spoke with doctors, explored international treatments and connected with other patients facing the same diagnosis.
Following a consultation with oncologists in London, the couple decided to pay for private immunotherapy treatment at a specialist clinic in Cologne, travelling to Germany once a month.
“It gave us our agency back,” Bryan said. “We don’t know if it will work, but we need to feel like we are trying something, instead of sitting in Shetland waiting.
“But it shouldn’t be that way – we should be able to access clinical trials and experimental options in this country, not left behind because we live in the wrong place.”
Launching the fundraising campaign, Bryan’s sister Karen said: “The cost of the initial six-month phase, which is designed to work alongside Bryan’s chemotherapy and to prepare his immune system for the second stage, has been covered by Bryan and Karlin themselves.
“They are now ready to begin the second phase which is both more advanced and more expensive.
“It includes a personalised dendritic cell vaccine, created using Bryan’s own tumour tissue, which is designed to teach his immune system to recognise and fight the cancer.
“This treatment offers real hope – and Bryan’s recent MRI scans have been really encouraging – but it comes with very significant costs.”
The treatment itself, specialised medications, MRI scans not available through the NHS, flights from Shetland to Germany and accommodation near the clinic add up to an overwhelming amount.
She added: “Bryan is known across Shetland for his work in the community, as an elected council member, as a musician and someone deeply involved in the local music and arts scene.
“Ever since his diagnosis, so many people have reached out asking how they can help. Friends, neighbours and even people we barely know have been offering support and asking us to start a fundraiser so that they can contribute towards Bryan’s treatment.
“Our initial goal of this fundraiser is to raise £150,000, which will fund the next six months of treatment, travel and accommodation in Cologne.
“If Bryan continues responding well to treatment – which we all hope and pray he will – this fundraiser will remain open so that we can continue supporting future treatment.
Despite everything that they are going through, Bryan and Karlin continue to face this challenge with remarkable positivity, determination and calmness.
Bryan said: “I feel deep gratitude for every one who has helped me, and love for all the people who have given Karlin and I well wishes, support and friendship. I am humbled by the support we have had from the community. I’m proud that in situations like this the Shetland community support each other.
“My situation has instigated many deeply moving and heartfelt conversations with people. It is a blessing to be able to express love to people openly and without concern.
“If I have learned one thing, it is to tell the people you love that you love them, and try to be a good person.”
If not all of the funds raised are needed for Bryan’s treatment and related costs, any remaining balance will be donated to Brain Tumour Research to support vital work for others facing this terrible disease.
The family’s plea for help comes as the charity publishes its manifesto for Scotland, calling on government make critical commitments including:
- Increased funding for research into brain tumours
- Increased access to clinical trials in Scotland
- Ending inequalities in access to innovative genomic testing technology .
The charity’s director of research Dr Karen Noble said: “No one facing a brain tumour diagnosis should have to face the injustice of inequity in their treatment due to the circumstances of where they live.
“The Scottish Government has the power to transform outcomes for those facing the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. The time to do things differently is now.”
Outgoing Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart, whose daughter Louise was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012, has been instrumental in establishing the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours.
Backing the manifesto she said: “I know only too well through the work of the cross party group the lack of options for some brain tumour patients.
“We have been pressing the cabinet secretary for health on access to genomic testing, research trials and new treatments and it’s vital that this work continues after the election.”
Donations can be made via this gofundme page.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
