A petition calling for more funding into brain tumour research has reached its target.

After a man, thought to be the longest surviving patient following treatment, started pushing for more funding for research, the petition, which would see the topic discussed in the House of Commons, received signature number 100,000 last Friday morning.

David Grant was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in 2005, and yesterday marked an 11-year and-five-month milestone since his operation.The 58-year-old is now an active campaigner for Brain Tumour Research, and is urging more people to sign a petition calling for the funding in the hope it can become a parliamentary debate.

He will go in for his 27th MRI scan next month, and says although it’s easy to be negative when faced with the life-threatening illness, with determination and more research, it can be beaten.

Mr Grant said: "I'm really elated - we've made a real push throughout the country and as a result we have seen the numbers soar.

"It's such a great achievement, I want to say congratulations to Brain Tumour Research, they have done a magnificent job."

Mr Grant was diagnosed with GBM, a grade four tumour which tends to grow and spread quite quickly – it is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumour in adults, accounting for 52% of all primary brain tumour cases.

Around 11 years ago he made a pledge to take his daughter, then two, to her first day of school, now he has altered that, saying he aims to see her through university.

“I just got a few headaches and thought I was coming down with a virus, but it turned out to be the tumour.

“It could happen to anyone at any time, but I’m so incredibly lucky to have beaten it. If I can, you can too.”

He is now part of the fight to draw attention to the illness.

The father-of-one said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“There needs to be more education, and guidance to GPs.

“More research needs to be done – it’s a neglected part of research but I believe they should make it a priority.”

The petition needed to reach 100,000 signatures by Wednesday, February 3, in order to force a debate in parliament.

Mr Grant, who lives in Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, added: “This is a great milestone and bring hope to the 16,000 people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”

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