A family, who raised almost £100,000 in a week after a 13-year-old boy was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, is calling on more funding for research.
Arnold "Arnie" Chappin was diagnosed in June after his parents, Ruth and Brett Chappin, noticed he kept falling over and limping.
Originally from Over Hulton and Walkden, the family took the 13-year-old to hospital, where Arnie was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour that cannot be removed by surgery, and was given just six-12 months to live.
His uncle Samuel Icke, from Atherton, Greater Manchester, said: “It was a complete shock, and to be honest as a family we’ve all taken it incredibly badly.
“This feels like an impossible thing to accept in somebody so young.”
The family immediately set up a Go Fund Me page to enable his parents to take time off work and spend time making precious memories with their son.
The family is also looking to move back to Greater Manchester to be closer to family who can support them.
Samuel, a hairdresser, is now campaigning alongside the charity Brain Tumour Research to help reach 100,000 signatures on its petition to increase research funding, in the hope of prompting a parliamentary debate.
He said: “It's unbelievable how little money goes on brain tumour research.
“My dad, Arnie’s grandad, had a cancerous brain tumour when he was 18 and it left him with stroke-like symptoms and early onset dementia, “Here we are again, decades later, and the treatment options have not changed to help Arnie. How is that acceptable?
“This disease is killing more people under 40 than any other cancer, and more children than leukaemia, yet the research is not being prioritised. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
The charity is calling on the Government to fund £110 million of current and new funding to kick-start an increase in the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million a year by 2028.
Brain Tumour Research wants the Government to recognise brain tumour research as a critical priority.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Five years after the Government announced £40 million for brain cancer research, less than £11 million has been spent.
“Patients and families continue to be let down by a funding system that is built in silos and not fit for purpose.
To sign and share the petition go to www.braintumourresearch.org/petition.
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