AN East Renfrewshire mum has called for more research into childhood brain stem cancers after her son was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease.

Alison Caplan’s 17-year-old son Daniel has a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – an aggressive tumour found at the base of the brain.

Along with her husband Brian, she has backed a petition which urges the UK Government to provide more funding for research into childhood cancers with the worst survival rates.

The petition, which now has more than 100,000 signatures, was launched in April by Ayrshire woman Fiona Govan, whose three-year-old grandson Logan died of DIPG three years ago.

Just one in 10 children survive longer than two years after a DIPG diagnosis.

Alison told the Barrhead News: “Having no new treatments in decades for childhood brain stem tumours is negligent and has failed our children.

“I really hope all our words bring about action to push research in the UK and provide effective treatment options.

“We can’t continue to fail children diagnosed with this type of cancer.”

Alison, of Newton Mearns, has enlisted the help of East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald in her bid to secure more funding for research.

Ms Oswald raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions last week.

“It is devastating for families to receive such a diagnosis and then to learn there has been no new treatments for conditions like Daniel’s for 40 years,” she told the Barrhead News.

“Despite all the medical advances that have taken place over that time, there has been no progress in treating childhood brain stem tumours.

“Now that the petition has reached 100,000 signatures, I will be pressing my colleagues to back a debate in the House of Commons when parliament resumes after recess.”

To support the calls for more research funding, visit here.