Sigourney Bonner wins charity community award

Sigourney Bonner, a PhD student in the Gilbertson Group has won The Brain Tumour Charity’s Influencer Award.

Sigourney won the Influencer Award at The Brain Tumour Charity’s community awards ceremony, Celebrating You 2023, held on Tuesday 4 April at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

The Brain Tumour Charity are the UK’s leading charity dedicated to fighting this devastating disease and Sigourney was shortlisted because of her dedication to going above and beyond to represent the voices of anyone affected by a brain tumour.

The Celebrating You Awards are The Charity’s chance to give something back to the inspiring people who’ve gone above and beyond to make a difference to the lives of those affected by a brain tumour.

Votes were cast for the most outstanding people in the brain tumour community – whether they’ve been spreading awareness of brain tumours, raising vital funds to help defeat brain tumours, campaigning for change, researching new treatments or supporting families affected by this awful disease.

Sigourney is in the final year of her PhD in Richard Gilbertson’s group at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute where she is researching new models and therapies for a rare children’s brain tumour called supratentorial ependymoma.

She has also supported The Charity during the development of their new community-led strategy which was launched on Thursday 13 April 2023. Furthermore, she gives her time to support Equality Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at The Brain Tumour Charity.

As the CEO of Black in Cancer, a non-profit organisation with a two-pronged mission, Sigourney is passionate about increasing the number of Black cancer researchers and bringing more awareness about cancer to Black communities.

Sigourney Bonner, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute said: “It was an honour to receive this award and be recognised for my passion to help defeat brain tumours. The awards ceremony was a very special night and it was a privilege to be surrounded by so many people from the brain tumour community.”

Graham Norton, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Interim CEO said: “This year’s Celebrating You Awards were a wonderful testament not only to the winners but all the nominees and all those who support our work,

“The evening united our community; from incredible fundraising efforts, innovative research, outstanding support and the dedication and determination of so many who stand united in accelerating a cure for this devastating disease. I would like to thank all those supporters who voted, Hal for hosting and all the winners for making this very special night a highlight and a showcase of the work we are doing.

“We’re extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our supporters and our Celebrating You awards are our way of giving back to our community.”

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

They fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.

The Charity also provides support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.