my mom won’t get to see me grow up. Recently, my mum was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma, a grade 4 brain tumour that is not only extremely aggressive but also terminal. Her tumour developed in the speech center of her brain, causing it to swell and impair her ability to communicate. For several weeks, she struggled to speak, her words turning into gibberish. It also affected her memory, to the extent that she didn't recognize me, her own daughter, She's undergone brain surgery and currently endures double chemotherapy every month, fighting hard against a condition with so few treatment options. I am a minor and have had to learn how to pay bills, work out legal issues as a power of attorney and realise that my mom won’t get to see me grow up and won’t be there for all the milestones in my life. I don’t have a father as I was born from IV so I will be living with my grandma who is very elderly. I don’t want to loose my mom, she is the only person who has stuck by my side when I was physically bullied and abused at school and when I was going through a really hard time mentally a while back.

Glioblastoma is a devastating diagnosis, not just for those who suffer from it, but also for their families. It is the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer, with an average survival rate of just 12 to 15 months. Current treatment options are limited, mostly focusing on prolonging life rather than offering a cure. The situation is dire and demands urgent attention.

One of the primary barriers to better treatment and potential cures is the lack of funding for research. In Australia, brain cancer receives less than 5% of national cancer research funding, despite being a leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 40 and the largest killer of children by disease. This funding gap limits the scope of research and slows down the progress towards discovering innovative treatments.

By increasing government funding for glioma and glioblastoma research, Australia can pave the way for breakthrough discoveries that could improve survival rates and quality of life for patients like my mum. Investing in this research is an investment in hope—a hope that future patients might receive a diagnosis with more options and better outcomes.

I urge the Australian government to recognize the critical need for substantial investment in brain cancer research. Not only could this provide a lifeline to those affected by gliomas and glioblastomas, but it could also strengthen our nation's position as a leader in medical research and innovation.

Please, sign this petition to support increased funding for glioma and glioblastoma research in Australia. Together, we can push for change that could save lives and offer hope to countless families affected by this devastating illness.