Big iMRI Appeal update: MRI scanner arrives at QMC

Thanks to our supporters, a new intra-operative MRI scanner is being installed at the Queen’s Medical Centre, which will transform the treatment of children with brain tumours.

The Big iMRI Appeal, part of our Big Appeal, was launched in March 2018, to fund a state-of-the-art new MRI machine for use by brain surgeons at Nottingham Children’s Hospital. Thanks to our amazing supporters, the appeal raised a total of £1.6 million, and after 18 months the hospital was able to begin the purchase of the machine.

The new iMRI machine, which was funded in partnership with the University of Nottingham, has now been delivered to QMC, and after installation and testing it is hoped the machine will be in use by Christmas. The scanner is housed in a new, purpose-built suite next to a theatre and will be used during brain surgery to help surgeons accurately remove as much of their patients’ tumours as possible.

Donald Macarthur, Paediatric Neurosurgeon, explained: “This machine will make a huge difference to surgeons, patients and families. Being able to scan patients during surgery, while they are still under general anaesthetic, means we will be able to see any small pieces of tumour that may be remaining, and remove them while in the operating theatre.”

Ashley Swift’s three-year-old son Oliver was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just five months old. He was admitted to Nottingham Children’s Hospital in January 2018 after doctors discovered a large tumour, taking up almost half the left-hand side of his brain. Oliver has since undergone three operations on his brain, plus chemotherapy to further shrink the tumour.

The family raised money for the Big iMRI Appeal, including by taking part in a sponsored skydive, to help other young patients like Oliver.

Dad Ashley said: “I’m so pleased to have been able to support this appeal and I’m thrilled that the iMRI machine has now been delivered and will soon be in use. It will make such a difference to other children with brain tumours, and to parents like myself and my wife Charlene.”

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Big iMRI Appeal and made this possible!