PUTTING OUR HEARTS INTO BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH:

ABOUT IN SUE'S NAME

Inside the charity

www.insuesname.org.uk

Who We Are

In Sue’s Name was founded in 2014 by David Taylor in memory of his beloved daughter Sue Blasotta, who died in 2011 of brain tumours.

Sue was devoted to her husband, Joe, and her children, Sasha and Daniel. She adored her career, first in recruitment with Reed Employment and then as a Family Support Officer at St Ignatius College. But she was also passionate about raising funds for cancer research, having lost several family members to the disease, including her grandma and grandad. She took part in five 5k Race For Life runs at Trent Park in North London, as well as completing a sky dive — despite being terrified of heights.

Sue was diagnosed with three lesions on the brain in November 2010 and died just six weeks later, facing death with tremendous courage while leaving two young children without a mother. Over 800 people attended her funeral.

Brain tumours are especially tragic as they tend to strike young people and, although brain cancer is a bigger killer of people under 40 than any other form of cancer and that incidence is rising by 2% a year, brain tumour research accounts for less than 1% of government funding into cancer research.

The scale of the disease was brought home to all of us when two other families from the same parish suffered a similar loss at around the time that Sue died.

It seemed important, then, that In Sue’s Name should be set up to honour Sue’s memory and legacy by campaigning to change that, and with brain cancers continuing to increase year on year, it seems even more urgent now.

In Sue’s Name has attracted a wonderful group of patrons who have been happy to support us and associate themselves with our efforts: 

  • Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool; 
  • Former Lord Chamberlain; 
  • Entertainer Don Maclean KSS MBE; 
  • Peter Coates, Chairman of Bet365 and Stoke City FC; 
  • Actor and Comedian Steve Coogan; and 
  • Sir Tom Farmer CVO, CBE, KCSG, FRSE, DL, former Chairman Founder of Kwik-Fit.

The charity also has a Board of Trustees and a Friends of Sue group which supports and assists the day-to-day running. The heart of In Sue’s Name, though, is our dedicated team of fundraisers and administrators – many friends and family of Sue and others like her, all victims of this terrible disease. We’re determined to fight!

In Sue’s Name was founded in 2014 by David Taylor in memory of his beloved daughter, Sue Blasotta, who passed away in 2011 due to brain tumours.

Sue was dedicated to her husband Joe and her children, Sasha and Daniel. She had a fulfilling career in recruitment at Reed Employment and later as a Family Support Officer at St Ignatius College. Sue was also passionate about raising funds for cancer research, participating in five 5k Race For Life runs at Trent Park in North London and even completing a skydive, despite her fear of heights.

Diagnosed with three brain lesions in November 2010, Sue displayed immense courage and strength, leaving behind two young children when she passed away six weeks later. Over 800 people attended her funeral, underscoring the profound impact she had on her community.

Brain tumours predominantly affect young people and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in individuals under 40. Despite this, brain tumour research receives less than 1% of government cancer research funding, while the incidence of brain tumours continues to rise by 2% annually.

Witnessing the loss of two other young individuals from the same parish to brain tumours highlighted the urgent need for action. In Sue’s Name was established to honour Sue’s legacy and advocate for increased funding and awareness for brain cancer research.

Our esteemed patrons include:

  • Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool
  • Former Lord Chamberlain
  • Entertainer Don Maclean KSS MBE
  • Peter Coates, Chairman of Bet365 and Stoke City FC
  • Actor and Comedian Steve Coogan
  • Sir Tom Farmer CVO, CBE, KCSG, FRSE, DL, Founder of Kwik-Fit

Supported by a dedicated Board of Trustees and the Friends of Sue group, In Sue’s Name thrives on the efforts of our passionate fundraisers and administrators—many of whom are friends and family of Sue and other brain tumour victims

IN SUE'S NAME
THE BIRTH OF A CHARITY

At the time of Sue’s stay at the Royal Free Hospital and her subsequent death, there were two other young people from the same church –  St Monica’s in Palmers Green – at the same hospital, also suffering from brain tumours: Anthony Bourke and Jackie McGovern, who also died from this terrible disease.

This was the trigger that eventually prompted David Taylor to speak to three friends from the church: Don O‘Rourke, Sean Cuttle and Des Cole, and ask them if they could help him organise a Charity Golf Day to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.

They were all experienced in organising golf tournaments and with Eleanor Cuttle, Denise Cole and Kathie, they ran a very successful first event in 2014. They also helped organise the next two golf days: Kathie has been a great help designing our brochures for all of our events.

OUR FOUNDER

The In Sue’s Name charity was founded by David Taylor, and he continues to support the organisation he created, each and every day.

“As the charity founder, I started this charity back in 2014 in loving memory of our daughter so that her family and friends might carry on the important work that Sue always did to raise money for cancer related charities.

“Our daughter, Sue was passionate about the need for raising funds for Cancer Research, as a result of our family suffering the loss of a number of friends and family, including Sue’s beloved grandparents to this disease that affects so many in our community.

“She participated in several fundraising events including five 5k Race for Life runs at Trent Park in Enfield, North London, and encouraged all her friends and family to join her. She also took part in a Skydive, even though she was scared of heights, all in aid of Cancer Research UK.

“This is why we, her family and friends, have set up this brain tumour charity in her memory to honour her legacy of hope for other sufferers of brain cancer and their families, to offer hope for the future.

“There is so much you can do to help the charity. If you would like more details on in Sue’s Name, then contact me or anyone else in our wonderful team, by following clicking ‘The Get In Touch’ button below.

Our Dedicated Team

In Sue’s Name simply wouldn’t exist without the tireless efforts of our trustees, patrons, ‘Friends of Sue’ and numerous other dedicated volunteers.

Our Trustees

CRAIG RYDQVIST ACA

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Craig is a Chartered Accountant who has spent the majority of his career in international investment banking and he is currently Head of Capital Markets for Varde Partners. Craig has been involved in numerous charity endeavours, such as Anthony Nolan and Cancer Research UK. Craig is an active member of the London Business School alumni association and devotes time to working with young people on issues around social exclusion and social mobility…

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DANIELLA SIRETZ

TRUSTEE

Daniella has a German law degree from the Universität zu Koln and a post-graduate degree in law in England and Wales. She has worked as a lawyer in London since 2003, first at leading law firm Allen & Overy LLP and then, since August 2010, in the investment banking division of The Royal Bank of Scotland. She lives in North London and work with being a mum to three girls.

Having a young family has made her particularly aware of how precious health is…

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SIMAL RAICHA

TRUSTEE

Simal was born and brought up in Kenya.

He studied International Business Administration and has been married to Aarti since 1999; he is the proud father to three sons.

Simal is one of the founders of an international Reputation Marketing company but his true passion is helping people excel and making a difference to others’ lives. Ever since his eldest son was born with a very rare condition…

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Jeremy silverstone

TRUSTEE

Jeremy Silverstone has been involved in In Sue’s Name almost since its inception, and chairs the charity’s Marketing Steering Committee.
Jeremy is married to the long-suffering Gina, and lives in Potters Bar, from where he also runs Purple Marketing, specialising in branding and content for local SMEs.
A keen Spurs fan, cricket lover, music festival goer and community volunteer, Jeremy is also an adrenaline junkie, and has recently abseiled and zipwired for the charity, so watch out for him at any forthcoming challenge events!

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NIKI RYDQVIST

TREASURER

Niki is a mother to Jack & Ella and is married to Craig, who is Chairman of the Trustees.

Sue was Niki’s eldest sister and best friend.

Niki’s commercial background is in finance and she has worked in the past in both the corporate and the public sector. Niki brings her experience in finance and her love for her sister to good use as Treasurer of the charity…

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ISN-ABOUT-US-LAWRENCE_THOR_STEPHEN

LAWRENCE-THOR STEPHEN

TRUSTEE

Lawrence-Thor Stephen is the founder director of Thor’s Trees, a fast growing, multi-award winning arboricultural company providing services to both domestic and private sector clients.

He has continued to develop his craft and brand whilst embracing a passion for entrepreneurship, business development and helping individuals find the best possible version of themselves in their journey through business and personal ventures.

Married to Natasha, Lawrence has been a supporter of In Sue’s Name for several years, and is now looking forward to working for the charity as a trustee.

Michael
Cuschieri

TRUSTEE

Michael Cuschieri is the managing director of the mc square marketing agency, which helps businesses stand out from their competition. Michael previously spent 20 years working in retail marketing with Marks & Spencer.

Michael also delivers personal development training and helps businesses grow. He was born in Malta, is married with two children and enjoys playing golf, scuba diving, travelling, photography and networking.

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Our Patrons

DON MACLEAN

ENTERTAINER

Don Maclean has been in showbusiness for over 40 years appearing on stage, screen & radio. He first came to the attention of the general public through his appearances in ‘Crackerjack’ and the ‘Black & White Minstrel Show’ which he hosted for three years on television and five years on stage.

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SIR THOMAS FARMER

CVO, CBE, KCSG, FRSE, DL

Sir Tom Farmer was born in Leith, Edinburgh in 1940 and is one of seven children brought up in a devoutly Catholic family. He lives in Edinburgh with Anne, his wife of 50 years. They have a daughter, a son and four grandchildren.

Sir Tom’s present appointments are: Non-Executive Director of Scottish Power and Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

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STEVE COOGAN

ACTOR, COMEDIAN, IMPRESSIONIST, WRITER & PRODUCER

Steve Coogan began his career in the 1980s, working as a voice artist on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image. In the early 1990s, he began creating original comic characters, leading him to win the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 1999, he co-founded the production company Baby Cow Productions. While working with Armando Iannucci on The Day Today and On the Hour, Coogan created his most developed and popular character, Alan Partridge. He has since developed into an accomplished big screen actor, including critically-acclaimed roles in Philomena and the Laurel & Hardy biopic, Stan & Ollie.

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MR PETER COATES

JOINT CHAIRMAN OF STOKE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB AND CHAIRMAN OF BET365

Peter Coates was born in Goldenhill, Stoke-on-Trent, the youngest of 14 children. His father was a miner and had a keen interest in football, where they regularly attended Stoke City’s Victoria Ground.
Coates signed for the club on amateur terms in the 1950s, but admitted he was “not quite good enough” to make it as a professional. Instead he went on to play for local non-league sides Goldenhill Wanderers and Kidsgrove Athletic, but is now Joint Chairman of Stoke City FC, as well as Chairman of the family-run betting company, Bet365.

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MALCOLM MCMAHON

ARCHBISHOP OF LIVERPOOL

Malcolm McMahon was born in London, the second of three brothers, and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology before working for London Transport. In 1976, he decided upon an ecclesiastical career and joined the Dominican Order. Making his religious profession in December 1977, McMahon studied philosophy at Blackfriars, Oxford and theology at Heythrop College. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Basil Hume on 26 June 1982.

 

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Friends of Sue

NICK YIANALLOU
MARIA ELIAS
JOHN PITSELIS
LARA STAVRINOU
IRENA HADJIIOANNOU
NADENE STEVENSON
SEAN DUFF
BREEDA BOURKE
SIMON ARNOLD
CAROLINE BOURDICE
MARY ZAZZI
SERENA MANDA 
MARK STERN 
SEAN HEWITT 
CLARE HORSLEY
LINDSAY GILBEY
TOMMY MCDERMOTT
BOB DEMPSEY

Our Marketing Steering Group

JEREMY SILVERSTONE, CHAIRMAN – MARKETING https://www.purple-marketing.net

MARC MAZURE, WEBSITE DESIGN https://www.mlawebdesigns.co.uk

CEY SESIGUXEL, VIDEO PRODUCTION https://www.twofresh.co.uk

GARRY KOUSOULOU, SOCIAL MEDIA https://lovingsocialmedia.com

KOSTAS CHRYSANDREA, PRINTING CTP Digital https://www.thirstcreative.co.uk

JULIAN KNOPF, VIDEO ANIMATION https://www.gandermediasolutions.co.uk

JESSICA McCLORY, DIGITAL MARKETING https://logicdigital.co.uk

RACHEL BERG, COPYWRITING & SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.rachelbergsocial.com

PAUL HARRISON, BRANDING & MARKETING https://www.theshapeof.com

DONNA-MARIE, SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.donna-marie.co.uk

NICK CHAMBERLAIN, SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.teamhussle.uk

BRIAN LYNGGARRD,  WEB DEVELOPER https://www.thewebguys.co.uk

FAQs

Yes. Brain tumours are divided into four classifications – grades 1 and 2 are low-grade, grades 3 and 4 are classed as high-grade. High-grade or malignant brain tumours are aggressive and can spread quickly in the brain and are usually a serious threat to life. Low-grade or benign brain tumours are slower-growing and not usually immediately life threatening but can still have a potentially dangerous impact on a person’s wellbeing. These tumours can become high-grade over time.

There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour and in the majority of cases it is not known what causes them. Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. Approximately 18,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.
Some risk factors have been identified, but due to the complex and unique health history for each patient, scientists are still unable to answer this fundamental question of why a brain tumour has appeared. Like all tumours and cancers, mutations in the DNA of a cell leads to abnormal growth (uncontrolled division), and as further mutations accumulate so the tumour can invade surrounding brain cells, but what causes these mutations is likely to vary between individuals.

In the UK, 18,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Brain cancer is still classed as a rare cancer. There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour so each sub-type of the disease is relatively rare.

In most cases, yes. The specialist clinicians involved in diagnosing and advising on treatment will suggest different options for different patients, depending on tumour type, low or high-grade, location of the tumour in the brain, age and health of patient. Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Currently, just 12% of people diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years of their diagnosis, compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.

In the UK, 18,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Brain cancer is still classed as a rare cancer. There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour so each sub-type of the disease is relatively rare.

Yes, according to Cancer UK (extracted 1.7.2021):

• Since the early 1990s, brain, other CNS (central nervous system) and intracranial tumours incidence rates have increased by 39% in the UK. Rates in females have increased by half and rates in males have increased by more than a quarter (27%) (2015-2017).

• Over the last decade, brain, other CNS and intracranial tumours incidence rates have increased by around 15% in the UK. Rates in females have increased by more than a fifth (22%), and rates in males have increased by almost a tenth (8%) (2015-2017).

• Incidence rates for brain tumours are projected to rise by 6% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 22 cases per 100,000 people by 2035.

There is evidence that, in a very small number of cases, inherited genetic factors or conditions have contributed to the development of a brain tumour. These conditions include Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Turcot syndrome, and von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Scientists have also found ‘clusters’ of brain tumours within some families without a link to these known hereditary conditions. Studies are underway to try to understand more.

No, a brain tumour occurs as a result of an abnormal growth or spread of cells from within the brain or its supporting tissues that can damage the brain or threaten its function. You cannot spread a brain tumour by contact.

The symptoms of a brain tumour will depend upon which part of the brain is affected. The most common symptoms are caused by an increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure) caused by the growth of a tumour in the brain.

Symptoms may include at least two of the following (symptoms on their own can be indicative of something else – if you are worried you should consult your GP):

• Severe or persistent headaches
• Loss or changes to vision
• Continuing nausea, vomiting
• Extreme or sudden drowsiness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss
• Unexplained twitches of the face or limbs
• Seizures (fits or faints)
• Appearing to be lost in a deep daydream for a short while
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, especially if progressive and leading to paralysis
• Numbness or weakness in a part of the face, so that the muscles drop slightly
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, resulting in stumbling or lack of co-ordination
• Changes in personality or behaviour
• Impaired memory or mental ability, which may be very subtle to begin with
• Changes in senses, including smell
• Problems with speech, writing or drawing
• Loss of concentration or difficulty in concentrating
• Changes in sleep patterns

There are over 120 different types of brain tumour, each of which have their own characteristics. More information on the different types and categories of brain tumours can be found here: www.braintumourresearch.org/info-support/types-of-brain-tumour

Brain Tumour Awareness Month takes place in the UK during March each year.

You Give, They Live.

The more we raise, the more research we can do, and the sooner we can eradicate this terrible disease…

Join In Sue's Name

Find out how you can help fight brain cancer with In Sue’s Name by joining us today: