Shay's Smiles

15/06/2026

An important day in Parliament today for the Brain Cancer Justice debate.

We were pleased to see such a great turnout of MP's who packed the debating room and spoke passionately about the change needed.

There was an overall consensus that more funding was needed and that we need to turn terminal to treatable.

Now we await seeing what steps the Government take in response.

A huge thank you to all of our supporters who took the time to email their MP. Sadly our MP for Central Beds and both MP's for Milton Keynes did not attend despite receiving many requests.

The debate was just the start and now the hard work of following up and holding the Ministers to account.

It was an emotional day, all of the Brain Cancer Justice team are living with or have lost somebody to a brain tumour. We hope what has been discussed today is taken in and action follows 💙

15/06/2026

London bound to Parliament for the Brain Cancer Justice debate.

Today I am wearing Shay's watch to the debate, and it got me thinking that this symbol of time is really important.

Shay ran out of time waiting on treatment developments, as are all of the Brain Cancer patients diagnosed before and since.

We do not need sympathy or platitudes, we need action. URGENT action from the government to make Brain cancer a priority.

We don't need stock replies stating funds invested which in reality are funds allocated in 2018 which have not been spent. Another one example of wasted time.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, let's do this!!

07/06/2026

Last week we attended our first Your Business Expo in Milton Keynes ⭐

Was great to chat to lots of visitors and exhibitors about the work of Shay's Smiles and hear about their businesses 💙

Lots of new contacts made and follow up meetings arranged!

02/06/2026

Today Trustee Niki was at Parliament for 2 meetings

The first was with her amazing colleagues from Brain Cancer Justice meeting with the MP who will be leading the debate in Parliament on 15th June.

We emotionally shared our stories of our loved ones journeys and passionately set out what needs to change - increased funding, a joined up approach and the desperate need for more treatment options for patients.

NOT empty promises or sympathy but action!

If you haven’t yet emailed your MP to ask them to attend on the 15th, please do 🙏

Following this meeting was the All Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours where we got to hear from the newly appointed Cancer Minister.

Families and MP’s alike put forward important questions and areas of concern, with a key theme being the need for some URGENCY!

27/05/2026

Today Shay's Smiles turns 5 years old 💙🎉

We cannot thank you all enough for all of your support over the past 5 years which has enabled us to achieve some incredible things:

⭐Helping support families, many through financial grants

⭐Funding a PhD student on a 4 year research contract at a total cost of £147,000

⭐ Committing £250,000 to cofund a clinical trial which will enable children to receive cutting edge experimental treatments here in the UK for free

⭐ Funded a further project taking existing research and progressing to clinical trials at a total cost of £221,000

⭐ Raising awareness of Brain tumours locally and nationally through our partnerships with Brain Tumour Research, The Brain Tumour Charity and The Tessa Jowell Foundation

We still have a long journey ahead but it's a good time to pause and celebrate all that has been achieved in such a short space of time.

Thank you to every single one of you who supports us, fundraises and takes on challenges, you are helping create Shay's legacy and we love and appreciate you all 💙

26/05/2026

**IMPORTANT - CALL TO ACTION**

A few weeks ago many of you signed the Brain Cancer Justice petition calling for a debate in Parliament to increase research funding and give greater rights to brain tumour patients.

Having gained over 109,000 signatures a debate has been scheduled for 15th June.

Only 5% of petitions which cross the 100,000 mark actually get scheduled for debate so this is a huge opportunity for our voices to be heard.

After working so hard to get to this stage it is crucial that we have as many MP's as possible attending the debate.

Therefore we are calling on everyone to email your MP adapting the template below. You can find your MP's contact details on the following link - https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Together we can make a difference!

MP EMAIL TEMPLATE

Subject: “Invest in Brain Cancer and Give Rights: Turning TERMINAL into TREATABLE” – Westminster Hall, 15 June 2026, 6.00 pm

Dear MP,

I am writing as your constituent to ask for your urgent support on brain cancer — a disease that continues to devastate families across the UK and has been overlooked for far too long.

(If you feel able to add a short personal line, etc., here.)

I support Brain Cancer Justice (BCJ), a community driven by lived experience. More than 109,000 people have signed the petition because they expect delivery, not further delay or unfulfilled promises.

This matters to me because this issue affects people and families in our communities who deserve better outcomes, real options, and timely action.

Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet it receives only around 2% of total cancer research funding. Around 5,300 people die each year in the UK, and outcomes have not improved at the pace seen in other cancers.

Patients are still being left with too few options and too little time. This must change.

A crucial debate will take place in Westminster Hall on 15 June 2026 at 6.00 pm:
“Invest in Brain Cancer and Give Rights: Turning TERMINAL into TREATABLE”

I urge you, as my MP, to support the following actions to ensure the Government delivers:

· Ring‑fenced, protected funding for brain cancer research, separate from wider cancer budgets

· Guaranteed access to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for all brain cancer patients, with standardised post‑surgical tumour tissue collection and storage

· Improved access to clinical trials and innovative treatments, including a meaningful RIGHT TO TRY, where no standard options remain

· A named brain cancer lead with accountability, responsible for driving delivery across the Government and the health system

These actions are essential if government are serious about transforming brain cancer patients’ survival outcomes from TERMINAL to TREATABLE, delivering time‑bound, decisive action, protected investment, and full accountability without delay.

I hope we can work together to improve outcomes for people affected by brain cancer.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you will be able to confirm your attendance and contribution towards this crucial debate.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Postcode]
CC: [email protected]

Enter your postcode, location, MPs name or job title to find the name and contact details of your local MP.

12/04/2026

Trustees Julie and Niki en route to London to cheer on all of our amazing runners taking part in London Landmarks Half Marathon today 🏃‍♂️

Good luck all 💙

10/04/2026

On National Siblings Day we shine a light on the siblings of those affected by a brain tumour 💙

10/04/2026

This Sunday 7 incredible supporters will be taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Shay's Smiles 🏃‍♂️

First up is the lovely Hugo who has been training hard, to sponsor him please visit his page below:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/hugo-robins-1

05/04/2026

Wishing all our supporters a Happy Easter 🐣