Who is brainstrust, and why have we partnered with them?
Facing a diagnosis of a brain tumour can be incredibly traumatic. Not only does it often (but not always) mean that cancer has been detected, but also that there is a risk of a progressively debilitating neurological issue. And, separate from the medical realities, patients and their loved ones are frequently left to wade through a flood of information that is not only complex, but sometimes confusing, all while facing the reality of the diagnosis.
This is where brainstrust steps in.
As the major, dedicated UK support charity for those affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, brainstrust stands alongside patients and their families, offering the clearest guidance, practical support, and genuine reassurance. As with Releaf, brainstrust’s approach is unwaveringly patient-centric, which is exactly why we have partnered with them.
We share the same ethos: that patients deserve transparency over bullish claims, and that the patient should be at the very centre of their own care. That means having full access to all the up-to-date info and emerging research regarding their health needs, along with the understanding of all legal treatment options available to them.
What does this partnership mean for brain tumour patients?
For anyone living with a brain tumour, this partnership is all about making sure one of the many potential treatment options is not only available to them, but also easily accessible.
Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since 2018, but take a wander down your local high street, and you may still be pressed to find people who actually understand the laws and regulations behind it.
This is the gap that we intend to close with our partnership with brainstrust. Rather than having to navigate their medical cannabis journey by themselves, patients with a brain tumour diagnosis who come to us for treatment are now guided through the process by a dedicated point of contact - our head of Nursing, Kim Kaye. They will also receive a range of discounts and benefits, all to make their medical cannabis journey as stress-free as possible (and a fair bit easier on the wallet).
No matter which direction any patient decides to take, their care is led by our world-class clinical team of over 50+ specialists and overseen by our Medical Director, Dr Sue Clenton.
Dr Clenton is an Oncologist & Specialist Consultant, with over 20 years of extensive cancer care experience, including a decade directly treating patients with brain tumours, and previously serving as the Medical Governance Lead for cancer services at her NHS trust before joining Releaf in February 2024.
How to get started with Releaf medical cannabis treatment for brain tumour patients
If you have been diagnosed with any type of brain tumour and are interested in learning more about what this new partnership could mean for you and your ongoing treatment, we would love to hear from you.
The first step is to head to our medical cannabis eligibility checker. This free, fast, and simple tool takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and will let you know exactly where you stand going forward. The next step is to email Kim Kaye at kim.kaye@releaf.co.uk with a quick explainer on your health issues, who will then walk you through the process, explain the full list of benefits on offer, and answer any questions you or your family may have.
While medical cannabis will not cure your brain tumour, it has been shown to help many cancer patients with some of the secondary symptoms, along with reducing the impact of certain conventional treatment side effects like chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.
Take Ryan, one of the patients who has been gracious enough to share a little of their story with us:
“I don't get tired [from my Releaf medical cannabis]. It doesn't kill my drive.”
“It makes my life more liveable. It helps to quiet the side effects of my cancer treatment so I can live a normal life. I can eat, so I've got energy. I love being out and about. I'm not a sitting type of person - I never was.’
“When I was going through [his conventional cancer] treatment, I spent a lot of time stuck inside. Since I started taking Releaf medical cannabis properly, it's just brought me back to life.”
"It allows me to carry on as normal. I have to use it every day at regular intervals, but I never feel out of control, whereas I did with the black market stuff."
Releaf - Let’s rethink healthcare
