8 hours ago
Charity set up in memory of Brighton teenager features on BBC Breakfast
A charity set up in memory of a Brighton teenager has been featured on BBC Breakfast.
Founded in memory of Charlotte Eades, Charlotte's BAG was featured on BBC Breakfast in a seven-minute segment, highlighting the legacy of the young woman.
At 16, Charlotte was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and fast-growing brain cancer.
She documented her journey with honest and heartfelt YouTube videos, reaching nearly 25 million viewers worldwide.
By sharing her story, she aimed to help others live life to the fullest, despite the uncertain future a cancer diagnosis brings.
Her mother, Alex Eades, founded Charlotte's BAG, which has raised more than £325,000 to support research at King's College Hospital.
The research focuses on quick whole genome sequencing of brain tumours to improve diagnosis and treatment.
The charity is entirely self-funded, meaning all public donations go directly to research.
The charity operates with no salaries, advertising, or merchandise, run solely by a family inspired by Charlotte's story.
Even costs such as PayPal fees and the PO Box are paid privately, ensuring every penny donated has an impact.
Charlotte's BAG is striving to change the fact that brain tumour research receives only one per cent of the annual cancer research funding, and treatments have seen little progress since the 1990s.
Thanks to Charlotte's BAG's contributions, research is now carrying out detailed molecular analysis within 24 hours of surgery.
Mr Ranj Bhangoo, a consultant neurosurgeon said in the BBC interview: "By getting as much genetic and molecular information as possible, we can make a decision with the patient about how their tumour is going to behave.
"We are routinely now able to offer this analysis to patients."
The charity continues to honour Charlotte's spirit of courage, humour, and generosity, fuelling breakthroughs in care and giving hope to young people facing brain cancer.
