In the final days of her battle with an incurable brain tumour, a Singleton mother has courageously decided to donate her entire brain to the Hunter Brain Cancer Biobank.

Facing the final days of her battle with an incurable brain tumour, Singleton’s Jackie Marsh has courageously decided to donate her entire brain to the Mark Hughes Foundation Brain Cancer Biobank.

Mrs Marsh was diagnosed with a cancer known as Grade 4 GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) in April 2016. It was discovered after she suffered a seizure while doing housework.

The 62-year-old mother and foster carer underwent surgery, radiotherapy and several bouts of chemotheraphy however the tumour proved to be too aggressive, with a scan showing it had continued growing.

“Our whole life changed from Easter Monday onwards,” husband Tony Marsh said. “They told us that Jackie was likely to survive anywhere from 14 months to just three months

“We did a lot of Googling to find out what’s happening and realised that brain cancer is lagging behind other cancers in research. It doesn’t seem right that there’s not enough awareness out there to combat this disease.

“I believe Jackie is the first person to donate her entire brain to the Mark Hughes Foundation Brain Cancer Biobank so hopefully they can pick up something with her tumour that can help them develop a treatment for future generations.”

Professor Stephen Ackland, head of the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance which manages the Biobank, says that brain donations are rare but exceptionally valuable to researchers investigating disease progression and the efficacy of treatments.

“A patient who has had a brain tumour, like Jackie, will have undergone a number of treatments and, while we can do scans to identify the effects on the tumour, we’re really guessing about the exact molecular changes.

“Why do brain tumours develop resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, how do they grow throughout the brain? These are the sort of questions that we can work out through research if we have brain tissue after treatment.”

Upon her passing, Mrs Marsh’s brain will be preserved long-term in the Biobank for future cancer research. Tony Marsh says it is typical of his wife’s character to be concerned for others and prepared to help, even during the terminal stages of her illness.

Jackie replies modestly: “It just seems like the logical thing to do. I’d like to be able to help other people because it can’t help me at this stage.”

The Brain Cancer Biobank is supported by the Mark Hughes Foundation under the auspices of the Hunter Cancer Biobank housed at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Further details can be found at www.biobank.org.au or by contacting coordinator Bianca Bartlett on 0437 430 454.

* Professor Stephen Ackland is Director of the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance and Co-director of the HMRI Cancer Research Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

• VALE: Jackie Marsh sadly lost her battle with brain cancer on 14 February 2017. Her wish to donate her brain to the Mark Hughes Foundation Brain Cancer Biobank has now been fulfilled. HMRI and MHF extend sincere condolences to Jackie’s family.