A WOMAN who lost both her father and sister to a brain tumour has raised more than £9,000 to fund vital research.

Michelle Scott, from Poole, pledged to raise money and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity after her father Peter and sister Sarah both died from brain tumours in 2004 and 2017 respectively.

The 42-year-old has organised and taken part in charity runs, gigs and bake sales and hopes that, by sharing her family's story, she can raise awareness of the disease.

Michelle, an ICU Consultant at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital said: “In February 2004 Dad collapsed at home with what doctors thought was a stroke, although he had no risk factors for this and as a family we felt this was not the case. Despite having surgery for his bleed and subsequent radiotherapy, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he lapsed into a coma one month after the diagnosis.”

Before Peter could be discharged from hospital he passed away at the age of 59.

Eight years later, Michelle’s sister Sarah had a seizure while collecting her daughter from nursery and was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma.

Michelle said: “Sarah went to see her GP who despite being told that Dad had died of a brain tumour, dismissed her concerns. Sarah knew something more was wrong so went for a private MRI scan and on her 41st birthday she was told she had a brain tumour.”

Sarah underwent surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy however in 2016 her tumour progressed to a grade 4 tumour, known as a glioblastoma and, despite further treatment, she passed away in June 2017 aged 44.

Michelle said: “Research into brain tumours is very underfunded and more needs to be done – diagnostics need improving so that brain tumours can be caught sooner and better treatment options are available.

“The Brain Tumour Charity supported my sister a lot while she was ill, she phoned their helpline frequently and discussed their work on her local radio. She was also featured on The Charity’s website and I know it would make her proud that I am continuing her legacy and helping others faced with the disease.”

To find out more, visit thebraintumourcharity.org.