A new report reveals that brain tumour patients in the UK are increasingly turning to crowdfunding to pay for treatment abroad, driven by a lack of domestic research and innovation. Data from The Brain Tumour Charity and GoFundMe shows that one in ten brain tumour fundraisers on the platform specifically mention seeking medical intervention overseas.
The report highlights that new brain tumour treatments are 'consistently disadvantaged' by a healthcare system focused on more common conditions. Limited access and slow research pipelines force patients to take significant financial risks to pursue therapies they find online. The charity is calling for urgent action to ensure patients can access cutting-edge treatments at home.
One example is Natalie Harding, a food scientist from Wellingborough who died from an aggressive brain tumour in 2021 at age 31. After exhausting NHS options, she crowdfunded for a cancer vaccine in Germany costing £50,000 per round. Her mother, Liz Paul, said the treatment 'bought us time' and gave Natalie hope.
Similarly, beauty therapist Claire Nutter, 48, launched a £5-a-ticket raffle for her £800,000 home in Burnley to fund £350,000 specialist surgery and therapy in Germany. After surgery removed only 50% of her tumour, and chemotherapy failed, she said it was 'upsetting' to be told no more treatments were available in the UK.
Cameron Miller, director of strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: 'We need to see a cultural and structural shift in how we approach innovation in this country.' The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England have been approached for comment.
