EAST Renfrewshire’s MP has given her support to a campaign which calls for more research into childhood tumours.

Kirsten Oswald tabled a motion at Westminster last week on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity to raise awareness of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

The condition affects the base of the brain, with just one in 10 children with DIPG surviving for more than two years following a diagnosis.

Ms Oswald’s motion, which gained support from all political parties, raised concern that treatment for DIPG has been unchanged for almost 40 years.

It also noted the “severe” lack of funding for DIPG research, with only a small fraction of cancer research cash going towards childhood brainstem tumours.

Among those who have been raising awareness of DIPG is East Renfrewshire mum Alison Caplan, who got involved in the campaign after her teenage son Daniel was diagnosed with the illness.

Barrhead News: East Renfrewshire mum Alison Caplan with her son DanielEast Renfrewshire mum Alison Caplan with her son Daniel

Alison, of Newton Mearns, said: “We can’t continue to fail children with this type of cancer.”

More than 100,000 people across the UK have already signed a petition urging the UK Government to provide more funding for DIPG research.

It was launched by Ayrshire woman Fiona Govan, whose grandson Logan died from DIPG in 2017.

Ms Oswald said: “This is a very important issue that we must keep to the fore for the UK Government and also for the wider public.

“In the midst of all the medical advances of recent years, affected families find it heartbreaking to learn that there has been little progress in treatments for DIPG.

“We must step up the research into treatments and, given the impact of the pandemic on charitable giving, public funding will be particularly important in the period ahead.

“The widespread support for greater funding has been demonstrated by over 100,000 people signing the petition in support of the campaign. I will be pressing to have this debated in parliament soon, allowing MPs to press the UK Government for action.”

Sarah Lindsell, CEO at The Brain Tumour Charity, said there is an urgent need for a renewed focus on childhood brainstem tumours to ensure greater awareness and boost research.

She added: “DIPGs are the second most common type of primary high-grade brain tumour in children and they are still severely lacking in treatment options, with surgery not usually possible and chemotherapy unfortunately not being effective in treating these tumours in children.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Kirsten, and all MPs, in support of this motion to raise awareness and ensure our community’s voice is heard by Government and Parliament.”