Let's Talk About Brain Tumours

In this episode, senior involvement and impact manager Shannon Winslade joins Chandos to talk about how you can help us to improve the treatment and care of people diagnosed with a brain tumour.  Shannon spoke about the importance of getting our community to share their experiences both good and bad so we can find out where the gaps in care are, what people's experiences are like in different...

In this episode I talk to Kaz and Lauren about what it's like to loose a sibling to a brain tumour.  For those of us that having siblings we know that the relationship we have with our siblings is different from any other relatonship we have. Kaz and Lauren share what it's been like for them when they found out their siblings had a brain tumour.  They share how the loss has changed their...

In this episode, Chandos talks to Andy about his involvement with the new strategy the charity is co-creating with the community.  Andy is a volunteer that not only works on the podcast but is also part of the Steering group made up of members of the community, The Brain Tumour Charity and other organisations that are working to improve the treatment and care of people diagnosed with a brain tumou...

In this episode, Chandos and our guest Laura talk candidly about the reality of dating after a brain tumour diagnosis and the difficulties of online dating and telling a prospective partner.  They share their personal experiences and how they approach the world of dating and relationships whether online or in person. If you would like support around your relationship or you are single and would li...

In this episode, we meet our newest co-host Anna Blyszko as she and Chandos talk to our new CEO, Alex Lochrane.  Alex joined the charity about 3 months ago and shares with Anna and Chandos some of his background, why he joined the charity and where he sees the charity going under his guidance. Alex also shares how our new strategy is being co-created with the community and how this may change the...

In this episode, we talk to Lucy and Lauren who share what it means to be successfully treated following a brain tumour diagnosis.  They share the ongoing impacts caused by both the brain tumour itself and the treatments used to treat their tumours and how this affects all aspects of their lives. They also discuss what being 'cured' actually means from their perspective. If you would lik...

Chandos talks to Nicola about how she uses the BRIAN app to help her manage her condition, including using it to track side effects, to log when she has a seizure and to keep a record of her appointments so she can show her husband, family members and also her medical team. Post Script: The BRIAN app has since been decommissioned, but you can find similar support, information and resources here: ...

In the second part of our interview, Kerry talks about life after treatment. She mentions the services and support that have helped her and also shares that a brain tumour diagnosis can sometimes mean you are not signposted to the right support. You can find more information about our Children and Families Service here. If you would like to join our private Facebook group for Parents you can do so...

TW: emotionally challenging content Our hosts talk to Kerry whose son Rowan was diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly after he was born. Kerry shares what it was like from a parent's perspective  to see her child in distress when other people couldn't see that anything was wrong and the journey a parent goes on once a diagnosis is made. If you are a parent listening to this and would lik...

We know that whilst Christmas can and often is a great time of year, it can also bring with it some challenges if you are living with a brain tumour or caring for someone who has a tumour. In this episode, Cam, Chandos and Sara share some of the things they have found have helped them cope during the Christmas break.  Kate Skinner our Support and Information manager also shares some information ab...

Volunteer Andy Tudor talks about how being diagnosed with a meningioma five years ago has affected his life. Andy has come up with some creative solutions for some of the side effects of his brain tumour, including coping with insomnia. In a bid to keep the night-time "thought demons" away he set up a social media account and he's built up a following of thousands by sharing positiv...

In this episode find out more about how the charity raises money for research into brain tumours and treatments as Chandos talks to  Sarah Castleman, Events Manager at the charity.  Sarah talks about how we had to change the way we had to do events in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the impact of this and what this means for us as a charity and how we do events as we come out of the pandemic...

In this episode we talk to Kaj Mistry who was just 22 when her dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  Kaj had moved away from the family home and was just starting her life in a new city when she found out about her dads diagnosis. Kaj decided to move back home to help look after him.  Kaj shares her experience of what it was like to  walk away from her new life to take on a caring role for her d...

In this episode Amie Frayne talks about her role as the Volunteer Development Manager and what a vital role volunteers play in just about every aspect of the charity. Amie talks about the types of things volunteers can do at the charity from helping to run events to supporting on our social media channels and much more. You'll also hear from some of our volunteers about their experiences of v...

In this episode we hear from Rosie who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 8 years old.  She shares what it was like to be a child going through treatment, how it affected her friendships, going to school and the long term impacts both mentally and physically of having a brain tumour at such a young age. If you would like more information about our Children and Families Service you...

In this episode Chandos talks to Optical Engagement Manager Lorcan Butler about the importance of eye exams as these appointments can tell you much more about your overall health than just if you need to wear glasses.  Lorcan talks you through what happens at a typical appointment, what your optician looks out for and some of the health conditions, including brain tumours that can be detected duri...

In this episode, we talk to Diane Thomas about how a loved one's diagnosis changes life for everyone not just the person with the diagnosis and why creating a new 'normal' is so important. Diane talks about problem-solving and finding creative solutions to keep creating a new 'normal' as things changed.   Diane also talks about her experiences of having to deal with her hu...

In this Spotlight episode Chandos talks to Fiachra Woodman about BRIAN. BRIAN (the Brain tumouR Information and Analysis Network) is an online app which has been developed by The Brain Tumour Charity to help people cope with a brain tumour diagnosis. BRIAN can help you - and those supporting you – to understand how you are doing and to make better informed decisions.  Fiachra talks about some of t...

In this episode, we talk to Sunil Reddy about his diagnosis and the impact this has had on his life.  Sunil talks about how his memory has been affected due to his treatment and what this has been like for him both coming to terms with the long term effects of having a brain tumour but also how he is finding ways to cope with these changes.  Memory loss is a common side effect of brain tumours wit...

In this episode Chandos talks to Eve Kelleher, the Head of Services at the charity about some of the ways our Support Team can help people who have been affected by a brain tumour diagnosis. You can find out more about the 10 ways we can help here https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/living-with-a-brain-tumour/get-support/ They talk about our online communities, from our Facebook support groups,...

Welcome to Episode 3. Today, co-host Sara Challice explains what it's like when you're told that a loved one has a brain tumour and how her husband's diagnosis changed her life forever as she took on the role of his carer throughout his illness.  Sara opens up about the reality of caring, the toll it takes on individuals and the things she found helpful. If you or a loved one have b...

In the first of our 'Spotlight' episodes, Chandos talks to Emma Wood who was the Involvement and Impact Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity. They discuss why The Charity has launched "Best Care Everywhere" - a new strategy to ensure people get the best treatment and care possible wherever they are in the UK - and how you can get involved. To take part in the Improving Care Toda...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Brain Tumour Charity's podcast! In this episode, you'll meet our original host Sarah, who worked at The Charity, and Cam and Chandos - volunteers who are both living with a brain tumour diagnosis.   They'll be sharing their experience of what it's like to be told you have a brain tumour and what it's like to live with a diagnosis. ...