Southwick woman backs cannabis-based tumour treatment

Alice Sutton is backing UK trials of the cannabis-based drug Sativex in treating glioblastoma.

It comes after her grandfather, Reg Fitch, died of a glioblastoma brain tumour when she was just 12.

Alice, from Southwick, has been working to promote the drug alongside Olympic diver Tom Daley, whose father died from brain cancer in 2011.

Alice, right, her grandfather and sister.

“It was so hard accepting that there was nothing that could be done for grandad,” the 21-year-old said.

“It’s brilliant that this new research gives a glimmer of hope for other people diagnosed with glioblastoma.

“Grandad got very ill quite quickly. He couldn’t cut up his dinner as he was struggling to use a knife and fork, I remember him getting a new bike and not being able to keep his balance on it.”

Trials of the drug are due to begin in March, and will assess whether the oral spray, containing cannabinoids THC and CBD, can improve and extend the lives of those undergoing chemotherapy.

Alice is playing "64 Games for Grandad" this March for Brain Tumour Awareness Month

Alice has now has been selected as a young ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Her sister previously held the role, and Alice wanted to continue her work in helping people while they grieve.

“It’s all a bit of a blur,” said Alice, on the death of her grandfather.

“But something that has always stuck in my mind is being pulled out of class. When I walked out and saw Mum I knew straight away that my grandad died.

“I think as I was so young when he died, I bottled up my grief for years and it’s only now I’m beginning to really process my feelings.

“I would like to help others feel less alone in their grief.”

The Brain Tumour Charity is recruiting ambassadors across the UK

Alice is a keen gamer, and will be getting involved in Brain Tumour Awareness Month this March.

She is raising funds for the Brain Tumour Charity by playing 64 games of Fortnite, in memory of her grandad who died at 64. 

Eve Kelleher, head of services for the Brain Tumour Charity’s, said: “We are so proud to have Alice as one of our 21 new young ambassadors - and are sure her grandad would be proud of her, too.

“They play such a crucial role in helping us to raise awareness about brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK.”

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Young ambassadors for the Brain Tumour Charity are between the ages of 18 and 25, and are either living with brain tumours themselves, or have been affected by the disease.