The Giles’ Trust was set up by Stine Giles and her husband, former England cricketer Ashley, to raise money to fund vital research into brain tumours at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). The Giles’ Trust now funds a research nurse to work alongside Professor Cruickshank at the hospital and to mark Brain Tumour Awareness Day on 8 June; Stine Giles went along to meet her.
Stine set up The Giles’ Trust after receiving successful treatment for brain tumours at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Stine said: “After I had brain tumours successfully treated for the second time I decided that I wanted to give something back. I set up The Giles’ Trust and I’m delighted that we’re now in the position to be able to fund a research nurse to work here at QEHB.”
Donna Gillen, a nurse with a background in treating patients with cancer and who spent five years working at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne has taken up the post and is excited by what the role entails. Donna said: “I am quickly settling into the role, there is a lot to learn and I am excited about the two trials that are being set up. These trials will help to increase our understanding of brain tumours and could change the way that we treat people with tumours.”
Donna will play a key role in the drugs trial as a link between the patients and the hospital, informing and educating patients about the trial. Donna said: “I am there to provide advice for patients who come onto the drug trial. It is important that they are able to ask all of the questions that they want to when they’re in hospital but also when they’re at home and have a question to ask.”
Stine agreed that this is immensely important, saying: “When I was in that position I had so many questions to ask. You’ve got a lot of decisions to make in a short amount of time and a whole new language to learn. Donna will be able to take time to talk with the patients about their options, providing this care is so important.”
The trials at the hospital will help to benefit patients with brain tumours, those such as Natasha Dean, a trainee paediatric doctor who woke up one morning to discover she had lost all movement on one side of her face. Initially diagnosed as Bell’s palsy, it was later discovered that she had a tumour on a nerve coming out of her brain behind her left ear.
Thankfully the operation to remove the tumour was a success and less than a year on Natasha completed the 10km endurance obstacle challenge ‘Tough Mudder’ with ten friends, raising £3,500 for QEHB Charity.
Natasha said: “It was a tricky time for me but the care I received at QEHB was fantastic. I was so glad to be able to give something back by raising some funds for the hospital.”
Natasha isn’t the only one taking part in a challenge to raise money, Ashley Giles will be joining the 1,500 riders who are riding for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity to cycle the 100 mile Vélo Birmingham route around the West Midlands on 24 September. Ashley said: “It’s a daunting challenge but one which I’m also looking forward to. It’s a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for The Giles’ Trust and the amazing research into brain tumours that is happening at QEHB.”
Stine Giles said: “Brain Tumour Awareness Day is a great opportunity to talk about the first class research being carried out at QEHB and I’m so proud to have played a part in helping to fund it. I wish Donna well and would like to extend my thanks to all the incredible people like Natasha who have overcome adversity and helped to raise money for the Charity. We could not accomplish the things that we have without the support of people like you.”

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