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The National Brain Appeal

@brain_appeal

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Transforming treatments and changing lives for people with brain conditions. Supporting The National Hospital and The UCL Institute of Neurology.

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🧠 This World Brain Day – see how The National Brain Appeal is making brain breakthroughs possible.

At The National Brain Appeal, we support two world-leading institutions – The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the UCL Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square.

As one of the most influential neuroscience hubs in the world, Queen Square’s reach goes far beyond central London – transforming lives globally through pioneering research, advanced treatments and specialist care.

100s of neuro conditions are treated here – from well-known conditions like epilepsy, stroke, dementia and brain tumours to some of the rarest brain, muscle and nerve diseases, we are passionate about funding projects that accelerate advances to change outcomes and offer real hope.

🎥 Watch our short film to see the difference we’re making – and how you can be part of it. by @brain_appeal

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a year ago

What a day for #TeamBrainAppeal 💙

A huge congratulations to our 23 brilliant runners who took on the Royal Parks Half Marathon last Sunday.

Between the early starts, long training runs, fundraising and 13.1 miles on the day, you put so much into this challenge, and together you’ve raised an amazing £30,000 for The National Brain Appeal.

The money you’ve raised will help support pioneering research, innovative treatments and specialist care for people affected by neurological conditions.

We loved cheering you on, and we’re so grateful for everything you put into it. Thank you! A supporter holds a handmade glittery blue “Team Brain Appeal” sign beside The National Brain Appeal flag as runners pass through a park. White text reads “Royal Parks Half Marathon 2026”. by @brain_appeal

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an hour ago

More Christmas cards to discover 🎄

From robins and reindeer to playful illustrations and traditional festive scenes, there’s a wide mix of cards to choose from this year.

So, if you’re still choosing your Christmas cards, take a look through the range and find the designs that suit you.

When you buy your Christmas essentials from The National Brain Appeal, you are helping us raise vital funds for patients and families affected by brain, spine and muscle conditions. The money raised supports innovative research, pioneering treatments and enhanced facilities at Queen Square.

Shop the collection using the link in our bio or visit shop.nationalbrainappeal.org Illustrated Christmas card featuring a stag with antlers decorated with colourful winter foliage, berries and mushrooms against a dark green background. The words “Merry Christmas” appear above. by @brain_appeal

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a day ago

In 2016, Romie Hamilton underwent lifesaving treatment at The National Hospital after a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Since then, she and her husband Paul have made the most of the years that followed, enjoying travel, live entertainment and sport, while also giving their time back to the hospital that means so much to them.

As Paul says: “We might not have had a retirement together, so we need to make the most of it.”

They now volunteer at our information stall, speaking with patients, visitors and staff about The National Brain Appeal and the work we support across Queen Square.

Romie’s experience as a patient also helps her connect with people who may be going through difficult or uncertain moments of their own.

For them, volunteering has become part of a much wider connection to The National Hospital and the care that changed their lives.

Read their story using the link in our bio. Romie and Paul smile together in front of a colourful sunset over a rural landscape. Overlaid text reads: “They saved my life and I’m forever grateful, which is why I volunteer.” by @brain_appeal

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2 days ago

Need help conjuring up some Halloween plans? 🎃

A group of fundraisers called the Brain Boxes took on the Halloween Walk, covering 25km and raising more than £5,800 for The National Brain Appeal.

This year, you can take on the challenge too, with a choice of 10km or 25km.

Challenges like the Halloween Walk are a great way to set yourself a goal, take on something with friends and raise money for a cause you care about.

Fancy giving it a go this Halloween?

Find out more and sign up using the link in our bio

#HalloweenWalk #TeamBrainAppeal #Fundraising A group of Halloween Walk participants celebrate completing the 25km challenge, smiling, raising their arms and showing off their medals in front of an orange event banner. One participant holds a large 25km sign. by @brain_appeal

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3 days ago

Good luck to our brilliant #TeamBrainAppeal runners taking on the Royal Parks Half this Sunday! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💙

We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way as you take on 13.1 miles through some of London’s most famous parks.

Want to help give our runners an extra boost on the day? We’ll have a cheer point at Hyde Park near mile 6 just past the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen.

📍 What3Words: ///boots.spell.moral

Come along and make plenty of noise for the team! Four National Brain Appeal supporters cheer with orange and blue pom-poms behind charity banners at the Royal Parks Half Marathon. Below, large white text reads “Good luck #TeamBrainAppeal” on a navy background. by @brain_appeal

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5 days ago

A huge thank you to our brilliant #TeamBrainAppeal cyclists who took on the London to Brighton Cycle on Sunday 13 September 🚴💙

Together, they completed the journey from London to the south coast and raised £2,300 for The National Brain Appeal.

We’re so grateful for the time, training and fundraising that went into taking on the challenge, and for everyone who donated, cheered them on and supported them along the way.

The money they’ve raised will help support pioneering research, innovative treatments and specialist care for people affected by neurological conditions.

Thank you for putting so much into the challenge and for helping make this support possible. A smiling cyclist wearing a National Brain Appeal jersey, helmet and sunglasses proudly holds up his medal beside his bicycle after completing the London to Brighton Cycle Ride. by @brain_appeal

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6 days ago

Could your team be our next Quiz Night champions? 🧠🏆

Our last winners certainly knew their stuff, and now it’s time to see who can take the top spot at our next Quiz Night.

Join us for an evening of questions, friendly competition, a raffle and plenty of chances to put your general knowledge to the test.

Come along as a team of five, or book an individual ticket and join a team on the night.

🎟️ Tickets are £18 individually or £75 for a team of five.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Book your place by visiting the link in our bio

Photo @manganpress

#QuizNight Six people pose for a group photograph at The National Brain Appeal's Quiz Night. Five wear teal fundraising sashes, while the two people seated at the front smile and hold a silver winners' trophy. by @brain_appeal

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7 days ago

“These patients deserve a chance.”

Cristina Palacin García is a glioblastoma clinical nurse specialist at The National Hospital, a role funded by The National Brain Appeal.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, and patients and families often face an incredibly difficult and uncertain time after something concerning is found on a scan.

Cristina’s role is to support patients from an early stage in their journey, helping them understand their options and guiding eligible patients towards clinical trials.

She is working alongside consultant medical oncologist Dr Paul Mulholland, whose Win-Glio trial is exploring how immunotherapy could be used before standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

As Cristina says: “Every dose, every scan, every step forward in these trials brings us closer to better treatments and, one day, a cure.”

Clinical trials are not just about research. They are about giving patients a chance, advancing science, and shaping the future of medicine.

Read the full story using the link in the bio

To find out if you are eligible for this trial email uclh.wingliotrials@nhs.net

Photos: @janefergusonphotography

#BrainTumourCare #Glioblastoma #ClinicalTrials #QueenSquare Cristina Palacin García, a clinical nurse specialist, smiles at the camera while standing beside medical equipment in a hospital. by @brain_appeal

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8 days ago

Christmas has landed at The National Brain Appeal 🎄

We had such a wonderful response to last year’s range that this year we wanted to give you even more choice, and more ways to support people affected by neurological conditions.

From Christmas cards and gift wrap to gift bags, tissue paper, bundled products and more, there’s plenty to help you get ready for the season.

Our Christmas card collection also includes some very special designs, including the winner of our Christmas card competition, Maya Cawdell, alongside beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of The National Hospital and The Hilary and Galen Weston Rare Dementia Support Centre by Liam Wales.

So, whether you’re sending cards or wrapping gifts this Christmas, why not support a great cause at the same time?

Every purchase helps raise vital funds for people affected by brain, spine and muscle conditions, supporting innovative research, pioneering treatments and enhanced facilities at Queen Square.

Explore the full Christmas range at shop.nationalbrainappeal.org or use the link in our bio Illustrated snowy Christmas scene with people decorating a large Christmas tree in a town square. Text reads: “Our Christmas range has arrived.” by @brain_appeal

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9 days ago

Fancy giving your Halloween celebrations a fundraising twist this year? 🎃

Last Halloween, Josephine and Michael Gordon brought friends together for a party and raised almost £2,000 for our Rare Dementia Support Fund.

Michael was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, and the couple have been supported by the Rare Dementia Support team for several years.

“We wanted to hold an event to raise money to provide hope in the future for others living with rare forms of dementia. It was a great party and everyone enjoyed themselves!”

Feeling inspired? You could host your own Halloween party, organise a pumpkin carving evening, hold a spooky bake sale, plan a scary film night or take on the Halloween Walk.

However you choose to get involved, your fundraising can help support people affected by neurological conditions.

Plan your DIY challenge today using the link in our bio

#HalloweenFundraising A group of people in Halloween costumes at a fundraiser for Rare Dementia Support. Text reads: “A Halloween fundraiser for Rare Dementia Support.” by @brain_appeal

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10 days ago

Faster MRI scans for dementia to be tested on NHS 🧠

The UCL-led RADIANCE study will evaluate an AI-powered MRI protocol that can reduce scan times from around 20–30 minutes to approximately seven minutes.

The project is one of nine technologies being supported through a UK Research and Innovation programme as part of the government's Dementia Challenge. The next stage will gather real-world evidence on how practical and effective ultrafast MRI could be in NHS settings, with the potential to support wider rollout across the UK.

Shorter scans could allow more people to be scanned using existing MRI machines, while also making the experience easier for people who find it difficult to keep still or lie flat for longer periods.

Study co-lead Professor Nick Fox, Director of the UCL Dementia Research Centre and co-director of Rare Dementia Support, a service we have funded since its inception, said, “These ultrafast imaging protocols will allow many more people to get scanned on existing MRI scanners. The scans should be faster, cheaper and less burdensome for patients who have difficulty keeping still.”

#Dementia #DementiaResearch #RareDementiaSupport Graphic showing MRI brain scans with the text: “Could seven-minute MRI scans help speed up dementia diagnosis? New UCL-led research will test an AI-powered MRI protocol on the NHS.” by @brain_appeal

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10 days ago