“Nobody in Yorkshire Should Face a Brain Tumour Alone”: YBTC’s CEO, David Grant-Roberts on Bradford Community Radio

When David Grant-Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC), joined Bradford Community Radio for a chat, he offered an honest and compassionate look into the reality facing brain tumour patients and their families across Yorkshire and the vital role YBTC plays in supporting them.

A Sudden Diagnosis That Changes Everything

Right at the start of the conversation, David shared a statistic that immediately stunned the presenters:

“Fifteen people in Yorkshire are diagnosed with a brain tumour every week… two a day.”

The reaction in the studio, “Wow… two a day?” captured just how shocking that number feels. As David explained, this diagnosis often arrives with a tidal wave of fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions: “Most people report having ‘a million questions’ when they get the diagnosis.” Patients try to understand treatment options and next steps, while families silently worry about each other. As David put it:

“Family members are worrying about each other… trying to filter what they say and maybe hold back in terms of how they’re truly feeling.”

Navigating the stress and anxiety that a diagnosis can bring to patients and their families, as well as the strain of exploring treatment options and undergoing treatment and rehabilitation can be life-changing, not only emotionally but physically and financially. That's why YBTC are there to support anyone who has been impacted by a brain tumour diagnosis.

Support That Truly Makes a Difference

Members of the Huddersfield Peer Support Group meet for a chat over coffee.

YBTC’s core mission is simple and powerful:

“We are here to make sure that nobody in Yorkshire has to face a brain tumour diagnosis alone.”

And they mean everybody — patients, partners, parents, friends, carers, colleagues, anyone affected.

Much of this support happens through peer support groups held across the region

. David described these groups as a place where people can:

“Just sit alongside each other… feel validated… and feel less alone.”

The impact is significant. Everyone surveyed after attending a group said they felt less alone. Everyone reported an improvement in mental health. 94 percent said they had picked up useful practical tips related to the diagnosis. Sometimes, David said, those tips are small but extremely helpful, for example, “realising you can often have eligibility for a free bus pass.”

When people need someone impartial to talk to, YBTC’s wellbeing calls provide a safe, judgement-free space:

“It gives people a safe space to vent and chat about everything that’s on their mind.”

The Harsh Reality of Research Funding

One of the most striking parts of the interview came when David highlighted the national gap in research investment. Brain tumours are:

“The biggest killer of children and people under the age of 40.” Yet despite this, they receive “Only two percent of the national research spend.”

CEO, David, visited Kelsey Wosnitzka, a Sheffield University PhD student funded by YBTC researching the complexity of brain tumours to find their "Achilles heel" leading to more effective, wide-reaching therapies for glioblastoma.

That disparity shocked the presenters. David noted that while YBTC doesn’t focus heavily on political advocacy, they do work with Brain Tumour Research, who are pushing nationally to unblock government-promised funding and ensure research for “less survivable cancers” is prioritised.

Meanwhile, YBTC continues to invest in Yorkshire-based innovative research, ensuring local communities benefit directly from new developments.

Powered Entirely by Communities

Another important fact David shared is that YBTC receives no government-based funding.

Instead, everything the charity provides is made possible by people personally touched by brain tumours, local communities holding fundraising events, supportive corporate partners, and grants and trust funders. David emphasised:

“Community is everything to this charity.”

A recent success was receiving £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund, enabling YBTC to add five additional peer support groups throughout Yorkshire next year.

A huge boost during what David described as:

“A really busy year for us… lots to tell you about.”

A Call to Action for Everyone Across Yorkshire

As the interview wrapped up, David returned to the message he most wanted listeners to hear:

“We want as many of those people to find us so they aren’t alone.”

He encouraged anyone affected, directly or indirectly, to reach out:

“All of our support is free… and we definitely don’t bite. If you pick up the phone or drop us an email, we’ll be straight back to you.”

For anyone unsure how to find the charity:

“Just Google ‘Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity’ and you will find us there.”

If You’ve Been Affected, YBTC Is Here for You

If you or someone you know has been impacted by a brain tumour diagnosis, as a patient, friend, partner, family member, carer, or colleague, YBTC encourages you to get in touch with our team either by telephone 0113 3400111 or by email: ybtcsupport@yorksbtc.org.uk.

No one in Yorkshire should face a brain tumour alone. With YBTC, no one has to.