It was just two years ago that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m pleased to say that I had my yearly mammogram on what would have been Charlotte’s 29th Birthday. The results came back saying there was no evidence of malignancy. I can’t stress enough the importance of going for your mammogram when called. The lump I had was so small I would never have felt it until it had significantly grown. Miles has already lost his sister and I owe it to him to be here for as long as possible.
We are delighted to say that we have now raised £382k since we started shaking a tin outside the Royal Pavilion, Brighton in October 2016. Earlier this year we had an incredibly large donation of £20k from the American Bank Goldman Sachs and a few weeks later another donation from a different source of £3k.
This is an update from King’s College Hospital regarding how your donations are spent:
Support from Charlotte’s BAG charity has enabled the laboratory at Kings College Hospital to purchase a high specification computer, which enables data to be processed in real time, as it is generated by the sequencer. This has already made a real difference to the speed at which we can diagnose brain tumour samples. Cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology combined with this computer power have reduced the time it takes to make a diagnosis from 21 days down to 2 hours. In some cases, the tumour diagnosis can be fed back to the surgeon whilst the patient is still under anaesthetic. This allows the surgeon to tailor surgery according to the tumour type, resulting in improved surgical outcomes for patients. Tumour DNA sequencing continues in all cases for 24 hours. This extended sequence is allowing the laboratory to collect information on other genetic regions which inform treatment and prognosis. All information is then available to the clinical teams ready for their first patient review meeting. When the clinical teams have all the information they can make better decisions for patient care.
Now the computer specification has proven to be effective; the laboratory needs a second computer, to allow it to offer a clinical service. This will allow more samples to be sequenced at the same time and should provide contingency should any issues arise with the original sequencer and computer. The service at Kings College Hospital could also be offered to other hospitals in the region. By expanding testing capacity in this way, CBAG’s generosity will continue to have a direct impact on patients and families, supporting faster diagnoses, more efficient workflows, and improved care at a time when every moment matters.
The impact of CBAG’s investment has also been shared nationally and a programme is being compiled to ensure all surgical centres in England have access to this type of technology.
This year once again, we are taking on some big walking challenges:
The first will be another 50km trek over the South Downs on Saturday 11th July with the brilliant team of colleagues from school. We are probably going to walk the CBAG letters – still in the planning stage!
Our second challenge was one that Miles and I walked 10 years ago before we even set up the charity. It was a walk just to raise awareness of brain cancer. Miles, never one for doing things by halves, decided we should walk from Eastbourne to Winchester and back again – 200 miles. We completed the walk in 16 days. This year we aim to complete the walk in 12 days. The BBC have already been in contact to say they are keen to interview us which is great news for the charity.
Our thanks to Bernie (a colleague I used to work with) who is running the London Marathon next week for Charlotte’s BAG. Our thanks also to Gustavo and Daniele who will be walking the Camino over May half term. The company that Daniele works for is doubling every donation.
Here are the links if you would like to donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bernie-runs-the-london-marathon-for-charlottes-bag
https://www.gofundme.com/f/walking-the-camino-for-charlottes-bag
Alex and Miles have been invited to speak at a conference:
We are delighted to announce that we have been asked to attend and to speak at an annual symposium in November at Fishmonger’s Hall, London, where we will be giving a family perspective on brain tumours and how speeding up results will impact patients and families.
Social Media:
We’re delighted to share that Charlotte’s YouTube channel has now been viewed more than 27 million times worldwide, with 93,600 subscribers and counting. My goal is to help her reach 100,000 subscribers, the milestone that earns the Silver YouTube Creator Award. To be able to hold that award to the sky and say, “You did it, Charlotte,” would give me immense pride and joy.
Twitter:
Twitter is our preferred social media platform and, as such, is updated most frequently. Please see this link for the Charlotte’s BAG account: https://twitter.com/alexeades1
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With very best wishes and all our thanks
Alex, Miles
www.charlottesbag.org
www.youtube.com/charlotteeades
ITV Lorraine ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ 2017
#87 Brighton Power 100 List Most Influential Figures in Brighton 2018
BBC Surrey and Sussex Community Heroes Award Fundraiser 2018/2019
45th Brighton Power 100 List Most Influential Figures in Brighton 2019
Nala, Charlotte’s cat – Cats Protection Rescue Cat of the Year 2019
BACv British Citizen Award July 2019
Points of Light Award March 2020
Coronation Champion April 2023
Daily Mirror Pride of Britain ITV Meridian Fundraiser Award 2025
Pride of Britain Finalist October 2025
We/I have been interviewed for/otherwise featured in:
My Online Cancer Diary (Channel 4) Oct 2017
Prima Magazine Feb 2018
Good Housekeeping Jan 2018
Take a Break Pets Nov 2019
BBC ‘Inside Out’ Jan 2017
Brighton Latest TV Nov 2019
Radio Five Live April 2024
Guest speaker King’s College Hospital Neurosurgery Conference June 2024
Prima Magazine Oct 2024
Radio Five Live Nov 2024
Nine Magazine (Australian) Nov 2024
BBC Breakfast June 2025
Pride of Britain ITV finalist Meridian Oct 2025
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Charlotte’s BAG
P O BOX 5439
Brighton BN50 8JR
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