brainstrust events

Our Thrive with brainstrust events will help you live better with a brain tumour. Below you can find information about upcoming webinars and meetups, both online and face-to-face. Filter by Patient and Carer events to see what’s happening this month. If you have any questions about our supportive events or would like to book a coaching session, please email hello@brainstrust.org.uk

You can also browse our calendar of upcoming fundraising events and campaigns. For the latest information about races and challenges, please keep in contact with event organisers or email fundraising@brainstrust.org.uk

Running events by region – brainstrust would love you to support the charity by taking on a challenge for us.  See what events are available in your region and do something amazing today!

  • All Events
  • Fundraising Events
  • Patient & Carer Events
July 16th, 2024

July’s tea and a wee blether – 12.00 16th July

Grab a cuppa and come and join us for tea and a wee blether!! Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with others in our community. It’s for anyone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, and just like our face-to-face meetups it is a warm, welcoming safe space for you. There’s no […]

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July 18th, 2024

Meningioma matters – 13.00 18th July

We know how hard it is living with a meningioma, whether you’re a patient or a caregiver. We’d love to hear how you are getting on, what you’re struggling with. Talk to others just like you.

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July 25th, 2024

Colloid Cyst Group – 13.00 25th July

We know that having a colloid cyst diagnosis can feel isolating and information is often hard to find. Come along to this relaxed virtual meetup to connect with others that really get it. There’s no agenda – grab a cuppa and pop along to say hello.

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July 28th, 2024

Challenge London Tri Series

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the fantastic Challenge London Tri.  This event is all about choice.  Will you choose the Olympic, Sprint, Super Sprint or new middle distance event? The swim will take place in the sheltered Royal Victoria Dock while the bike route will take athletes from Docklands to […]

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July 31st, 2024

Managing Fatigue Workshop – Weds July 31 14.00

This interactive workshop will help you to understand fatigue and how it is different for people living with a brain tumour. You will be encouraged to share your experiences on how fatigue is impacting on your quality of life, in a group setting with others who understand. As part of this workshop, you will learn […]

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August 1st, 2024

Building a supportive community in Preston – Thurs Aug 1st 13.30

We’re establishing a supportive healthcare community in collaboration with Royal Preston Hospital. Our second meetup is on the 1st of August 2024, with more to follow. Join us and find the support you need. Coffee, tea, and biscuits will be provided. This is open to patients/caregivers under Royal Preston Hospital’s care.

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August 1st, 2024

High Grade Group- Thurs Aug 1st 13.00

This informal social group is just for people living with a high grade (3/4) tumour diagnosis and their supporters. There are no fixed conversation topics and no agendas. Just pop in to say hello and spend time in the same space as others who understand.

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August 4th, 2024

Bedford Autodrome 20 Mile

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this traffic free, fast, flat, PB potential race at a perfect distance for those training for a marathon. Join us at the one and only Bedford Autodrome and enjoy the thrill of running at this unique course and racing your way to a new chip […]

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August 4th, 2024

York 10k

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this fast, flat, PB potential 10k. Running since 2009, the York 10k has been described as one of the country’s most beautiful city runs and Yorkshire’s most popular 10k. 5000 runners took part in 2023, will you join them in 2024? Closing date for registrations […]

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August 7th, 2024

Introductory Hypnotherapy workshop – Weds Aug 7th 14.00

This workshop isn’t just about coping: it’s about empowerment. By understanding the psych-neurological aspects of your condition and embracing the potential for change through neuroplasticity, you’ll learn how to establish a foundation of inner strength and positivity that will support you throughout your journey. This session will help you find effective strategies to manage anxiety.

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August 8th, 2024

Living with low grade glioma – Thurs 8th Aug 16.00

Living with a low grade glioma brain tumour brings about its own challenges. Not only do you have to live with the symptoms that these tumours can bring (epilepsy has a high prevalence rate) but also the uncertain trajectory of a low grade glioma. By low grade we mean grade 2 tumours, and those that […]

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August 9th, 2024

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) – Fri Aug 9th 13.00

Casual and relaxed virtual meetup for those with an Acoustic Neuroma diagnosis , their carers and families.

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August 14th, 2024

Hypnotherapy workshop 2: Scanxiety – Weds Aug 14th 14.00

Are you struggling with the overwhelming anxiety that comes with waiting for medical scan results? You’re not alone. “Scanxiety” is a profound experience shared by many, but there’s a powerful way to navigate this emotional journey. This workshop is designed to empower you with the tools to manage and transform your scan anxiety.

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August 18th, 2024

Scottish 10k

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this seriously fast, flat and PB potential 10k. The race will start just outside Edinburgh and finishes at Musselburgh Racecourse, Scotland’s oldest racecourse.

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August 18th, 2024

Scottish Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this seriously flat and rapid half marathon. Starting just outside Edinburgh, you will run along the magnificent East Lothian Golf Coast before finishing in the final furlong at Musselburgh Racecourse, Scotland’s oldest racecourse.

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August 21st, 2024

Hypnotherapy Worshop 3: While I am waiting – Weds Aug 21st 14.00

Waiting is an inevitable part of the journey with a brain tumour, but it’s more than just passing time. It’s an opportunity to rebuild your identity, confidently assert yourself, and acquire the skills and knowledge to manage interactions and expectations. Our workshop is designed to transform waiting into a period of growth and self-discovery.You will […]

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September 1st, 2024

The Big Half

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a bran tumour at The Big Half in London this September. Organised by London Marathon Events, The Big Half is a vibrant, inclusive half marathon with a fun, festival atmosphere. The 13.1 mile course weaves through London from Tower Bridge to the iconic Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Fantastic support across […]

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September 4th, 2024

Hypnotherapy Workshop 4: Calmness and Confidence – Weds Sept 4th 14.00

What you will learn from this workshop; leverage the techniques and insights gained from previous workshops, enhancing your ability to harness calmness and confidence in any situation. Empowerment: recognise and tap into your unique internal resources,fostering a personalized pathway to confidence that resonates with your individual journey.

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September 7th, 2024

Bedford Running Festival

Looking to set yourself a challenge for 2024?  Join Team brainstrust as we take on some fantastic events across the Bedford Running Festival Weekend.  Welcome to the Bedford Running Festival, where it is all about choice.  Choose from the 5km or 10km on Saturday 7th September or take on the Half Marathon or 20 mile race on […]

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September 8th, 2024

The Great North Run

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the world’s biggest and best half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome, not to mention the millions raised each year for worthy […]

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September 8th, 2024

Run Thorpe Park

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the ‘fun for all the family’ Run Thorpe Park 5km or 10km challenge   around the rides and rollercoasters inside the fantastic THORPE PARK Resort and be first in line to enjoy everything the Resort has to offer. Following the race, you will be able […]

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September 22nd, 2024

Men’s 10k Edinburgh

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this stunning city centre run through the streets of Edinburgh.  Men’s 10K is a series of timed 10k runs that provides a proactive and challenging way to engage men in healthy physical activity and to promote health and wellbeing all year round.  

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September 22nd, 2024

Women’s 10k Edinburgh

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this fantastic and scenic city centre 10k through the streets of Edinburgh. Women’s 10K is a series of timed 10k runs that provides a proactive and challenging way to engage men in healthy physical activity and to promote health and wellbeing all year round. Closing […]

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September 29th, 2024

Robin Hood Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this well established  half marathon event which is being held for the 44th time in 2024. This one loop half marathon course now attracts over 9,000 runners. The Robin Hood Half Marathon is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road events […]

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October 6th, 2024

Cardiff Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this well established Half Marathon which is now into its 21st  year and part of the super half series that includes Prague, Berlin, Lisbon, Valencia. Early bird sold out 5000 places in 3 hours, so early booking is key to secure your place. Registration closes […]

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October 13th, 2024

Bournemouth Supersonic 10k

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this fantastic, scenic, coastal 1ok event. Running in the supersonic 10k will provide you with a glimpse of running the way it should be, along coastlines with the backdrop of the stunning sea.      

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October 13th, 2024

Bournemouth Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at Bournemouth Half Marathon. Breathtaking views of the sea, cool coastal routes and the highlights of Poole and Bournemouth will be on show at this fantastic Half Marathon  event. The kind folk of the south coast will be proud to welcome you to their beautiful part […]

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October 13th, 2024

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at  the most spectacular half marathon that central London has to offer. Charity runners will glide through four of London’s stunning Royal Parks, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, St James’s Park and The Green Park. The 13.1m extraordinary route brushes past London’s most famous landmarks, including The […]

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October 13th, 2024

Bournemouth Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this stunningly located Half Marathon. Breathtaking views of the sea, cool coastal routes and the highlights of Poole and Bournemouth will be on show at this fantastic Half Marathon and Festival event. Registration closes for this popular event on 2nd October 2024.

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October 13th, 2024

Manchester Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this traffic free, flat and fast Half Marathon which takes runners  through the towns of Old Trafford, Stretford & Brooklands, with the promise of great support and an abundance of entertainment en route. This is a PB potential race with a lovely 2-mile flat finish […]

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October 20th, 2024

Amsterdam Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at one of Europe’s most scenic and beautiful Half Marathons. The flat and fast course is packed with scenery as you run through Vondelpark & Rijksmuseum, following the Amsel River, you will be sure to see many canals and windmills but whatever you do, do not stop […]

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October 20th, 2024

Amsterdam Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the Amsterdam Marathon. Join over 47 000 runners from over 140 countries for this unique city marathon! The event begins and finishes in the Olympic Stadium and provides a scenic course that is flat and fast-paced. Runners will follow the route along the Amsel River and through […]

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October 20th, 2024

Yorkshire Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a bran tumour at The Yorkshire Marathon in October. The Yorkshire Marathon has been a monster success since day one. In many ways, it’s the jewel in White Rose County’s sporting crown. We like to think every element of The Yorkshire Marathon is charged with Yorkshire Spirit. Since the inaugural […]

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October 20th, 2024

The Great South Run

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at probably the world’s favourite 10-miler, with inspiring history, salty air and glorious sea views guaranteed.

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November 16th, 2024

Run Alton Towers 2024

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the fun for all the family Run Alton Towers event.  Choose between the 5km, 10km or Half Marathon distance.  Not only do all finishers get a fantastic medal but entry to the park is also included as part of your race entry fee.  So […]

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March 9th, 2025

Paris Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the Paris Half Marathon. The Paris Half Marathon is one of the best overseas half marathons for UK runners to take part in! The World famous fashion capital ups the ante when it comes to running for charity. A vibrant atmosphere as you […]

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April 6th, 2025

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2025

London Landmarks Half places are available with team brainstrust. Event date: April 6th, 2025 Take on the 2025 London Landmarks Half Marathon with us to help people living with a brain tumour. This hugely popular half marathon takes in the iconic Westminster Bridge and Charing Cross Road, up past Leicester Square and China Town. Adding even […]

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April 13th, 2025

Paris Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the world famous Paris Marathon. The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris is now one of the biggest marathons in the world and perfectly combines a personal challenge with the chance to discover one of the world’s greatest cities. Race day will see you […]

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April 27th, 2025

Manchester Marathon 2025

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the fourth largest marathon in Europe. This is also the flattest major marathon with great PB potential. As with every year all finishers will get a  funky medal and other goodies!

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May 18th, 2025

Hackney Half Marathon

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at this fast, flat, PB potential half marathon. The Hackney Half sells out every year and is renowned for its festival atmosphere and fantastic crowd support.  There will be entertainment stations along the route and a festival village for you to enjoy post race. Registration closes […]

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May 25th, 2025

Edinburgh Marathon 2025

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the Edinburgh Marathon. The marathon route is one of the fastest in the UK making that elusive personal best a distinct possibility! Edinburgh Marathon joined the world’s elite road races in 2012 by becoming the first marathon in Scotland to be officially recognised […]

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May 25th, 2025

Edinburgh Half Marathon 2025

Join team brainstrust’s mission to help people with a brain tumour at the Edinburgh Half Marathon 2025. Come and be part of Scotland’s BIGGEST running festival! This ever-growing festival of running is now a major event in the Scottish sporting calendar. Starting in Edinburgh, the course heads out through East Lothian offering stunning views and […]

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Introduction

The Brain Tumour Data Dashboard lets you explore up -to-date, population level data about the brain tumours diagnosed in England between 2013 and 2015. Using the drop down menus on the left you can select different groups of patients to view in the charts below. In these charts the number of patients for every 100 diagnoses is displayed as images of people. Patients have been grouped by date of diagnosis, type of tumour, age, gender, and region in England.

For each group of patients you can explore the different routes to diagnosis, the proportion of those who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as well as the survival of the patients within each group. For more information about what these metrics mean please see the glossary.

How to use

  1. Select the year of diagnosis using the drop down menu.
  2. Select your patient group of interest from the four drop down menus in the following order:
    1. Tumour group
    2. Age at diagnosis
    3. Region of England
    4. Gender of patient
  3. To view a second chart to compare different groups of patients, click the ‘compare’ button.The second chart will appear below the first chart.

*Note that the tool is best used on a laptop or tablet rather than a mobile phone*

Unavailable data

Some of the data in these charts is not available.There are two main reasons for this:

  1. How the data has been grouped

If you cannot select a patient group from the drop down menus, the data is unavailable because of how the data has been organised.

Public Health England has grouped the data like a branching tree. The bottom of the tree contains all the patients with brain tumours, and then each branch divides the data by a certain characteristics, like age, or location of tumour. But the data is divided in an order, starting with location of the tumour (endocrine or brain), then by age, region, and gender. Age is at the start because it makes a bigger difference to survival rates and treatment rates than gender or region. Sometimes, after the data has been split by type of tumour and age, there is not enough data to be split again. This is because to protect patient confidentiality groups cannot contain less than 100 patients. Because some groups cannot be split further, you cannot create ‘totals’ for everyone by region or gender. For example, you cannot see results for all ages by region, or all brain tumours by gender. If these totals were calculated and released, it might be possible to identify patients, which is why Public Health England cannot release this data.

  1. Statistical reasons and data availability

If you can select a patient group from the chart menus, but the chart does not display, the data is unavailable for one of several reasons:

  1. Data is not yet available for the selected year from Public Health England.
  2. Data is not available because the data quality is too poor to release this statistic.
  3. Data is not available as the statistic is not appropriate for this group.
  4. Data is not available because the standard error of the estimate was greater than 20% and so the estimate has been supressed.

Up to date brain tumour data

Brain tumour data may influence the decisions you make about your care. Data also helps you understand the bigger picture, or landscape, in which you find yourself.

Brain tumour data and statistics influence the focus, and work of organisations like brainstrust. The information helps us to understand the scale and impact of the problems we are setting out to solve.

This tool helps you understand the landscape in which you find yourself having been diagnosed with a brain tumour. This landscape can be particularly tricky to navigate as there are many different types of brain tumour, all of which have a different impact.

The information you see represents the most up-to-date, official, population level brain tumour data available for England. Over time we will be adding to the brain tumour data available and publishing reports, with recommendations, as a result of what we learn from this data.

The data behind this content has come from Public Health England’s National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) and is a direct result of the ‘Get Data Out’ project.

This project provides anonymised population level brain tumour data for public use in the form of standard output tables, accessible here: http://cancerdata.nhs.uk/standardoutput

Incidence

The number or rate (per head of population) of new cases of a disease diagnosed in a given population during a specified time period (usually a calendar year). The crude rate is the total number of cases divided by the mid-year population, usually expressed per 100,000 population.

Malignant

Malignant tumours which grow by invasion into surrounding tissues and have the ability to metastasise to distant sites

Mortality

The number or rate (per head of population) of deaths in a given population during a specified time period (usually a calendar year). The crude rate is the total number of deaths divided by the mid-year population, usually expressed per 100,000 population.

Non-malignant

Not cancerousNon-malignant tumours may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body.

Survival

The length of time from the date of diagnosis for a disease, such as cancer, that patients diagnosed with the disease are still alive. In a clinical trial, measuring the survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works. Also called ‘overall survival’ or ‘OS’.

Routes to Diagnosis

Under the ‘Routes to Diagnosis’ tab in the Brain Tumour Data Dashboard, you can explore the ways patients have been diagnosed with brain tumours. There are many ways, or routes, for cancers to be diagnosed in the NHS. A ‘route to diagnosis’ is the series of events between a patient and the healthcare system that leads to a diagnosis of cancer. The routes include:

  1. Two Week Wait

Patients are urgently referred by their GP for suspected cancer via the Two Week Wait system and are seen by a specialist within 2 weeks where they are diagnosed.

  1. GP referral

Diagnosis via a GP referral includes routine and urgent referrals where the patient was not referred under the Two Week Wait system.

  1. Emergency Presentation

Cancers can be diagnosed via emergency situations such as via A&E, emergency GP referral, emergency transfer or emergency admission.

  1. Outpatient

Outpatient cancer diagnoses include diagnoses via an elective route which started with an outpatient appointment that is either a self-referral or consultant to consultant referral. (It does not include those under the Two Week Wait referral system).

  1. Inpatient elective

Diagnosis via an inpatient elective route is where diagnosis occurs after the patient has been admitted into secondary care from a waiting list, or where the admission is booked or planned.

  1. Death Certificate Only

Diagnoses made by Death Certificate Only are made where there is no more information about the cancer diagnosis other than the cancer related death notifications. The date of diagnosis is the same as that of the date of death.

  1. Unknown

For some patients with a cancer diagnosis, there is no relevant data available to understand the route to diagnosis.

 

More information

If any of the statistical terms in this section of the brainstrust website are hard to understand, we recommend looking them up here:

Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Statistics Explained

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/cancer-stats-explained/statistics-terminology-explained#heading-Seven

If you are looking for help understanding terms relating specifically to brain tumours, and treatment, then the brainstrust glossary is available here:

https://www.brainstrust.org.uk/advice-glossary.php