The Brain Tumour Charity, one of the world’s leading brain tumour charities, received a welcome boost in their efforts to treat the most common type of brain tumour in adults, Glioblastoma (GBM).

 

A match funding campaign, run on the Big Give platform, raised £127,681 during August to fund a placebo-controlled, randomised trial for recurrent glioblastoma in adults to establish whether adding cannabinoids (Sativex) to standard treatments prolongs survival or improves the quality of life. Sativex is already prescribed for other conditions and this trial has been developed following promising results from the phase 1 trial. The results could be a game-changer for those living with GBM who are in desperate need of a breakthrough and, ultimately, hope.

 

“The trial will give people hope that there could be life beyond a glioblastoma and that there are other treatments being trialled to support people to get on with their lives afterwards.” said Stephen, who participated in one of the first Sativex trials in the UK, “Hopefully they’ll have the same response I’ve had that their scans start to show that everything is clear.”

 

 

Over 600 people donated during their campaign, with an average donation of £109 over the course of the week-long campaign. These donations were then matched by Bluecube Technology Solutions. James Hawker, Chief Executive of Bluecube Technology Solution says “The principle of matching funds, I think, is brilliant as it isn’t a simple donation; it helps support the philanthropy and generosity of others who are passionate and putting in the effort to make a difference. Especially when it is to fund a potentially game-changing, and indeed life-changing, trial that could have a positive impact for so many people affected by a brain tumour.”

 

Kelly Jack, Supporter Development Lead for The Brain Tumour Charity, said, “We were blown away by the response to our fundraising campaign. The generosity shown could have a potentially life-saving impact. We’re so excited to see the results of this campaign and project.”

 

Research from the Big Give shows that donors are not only more likely to give with match funding on offer for their donation, they are also more likely to give more when they see that their donation will be doubled. The Brain Tumour Charity says, “Having the match funding for the campaign was a real boost, especially in the current financial climate. We have some donors who have specifically asked to be notified should we host similar campaigns in future as they were so thrilled to have their gift doubled.

 

Since 2020, The Brain Tumour Charity has raised over £280,000 across three of their own match funding campaigns. Match funding has helped them engage with donors, this appeal saw a 170% increase on the number of donations made compared to their first match funding campaign.

 

Their next match funding campaign will be part of the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2021, the UK’s biggest match funding campaign. For further information about The Brain Tumour Charity, visit https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/.

 

Any UK registered charity can use the Big Give platform to run their own match funding campaign for free. To find out more about running your own campaign, visit https://www.thebiggive.org.uk/s/run-your-own-campaign.

 

The Big Give is the UK’s #1 match funding platform. We specialise in bringing charities, philanthropists and the public together to multiply their impact. The Big Give has raised over £156m for thousands of great causes through the power of match funding. Find out more.
Author: Sahil Shah
Editor: Kelly Jack