Professor Sarah Bohndiek, a researcher at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and affiliate of our Early Cancer Institute, will be joined by lab members Tom Else, Katie-Lou White, Janek Gröhl and Kris Dreher as she joins supporters on the start line for her fifth Race for Life 10k at Jesus Green on Sunday, 2 July.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events that raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. To sign up visit raceforlife.org*
This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive an exclusive medal to mark the milestone.
Prof Bohndiek hopes her work in Cambridge – developing cutting-edge imaging to detect and monitor cancer – and her dedication to Race for Life – in memory of her nan and aunt, who both died of breast cancer – will help inspire people to keep raising funds.
She said: “Race for Life is an inspiring day. It’s an event where everyone’s got this common experience – you’re there for a person you love who’s been affected by cancer and has either survived or isn’t with you anymore, and you’re cherishing that person and celebrating their life, so it’s quite emotional, but at the same time it’s really inspiring because everybody’s there coming together to try and beat the disease.
“We can also build from the knowledge base other people have here, so even if my team want to do an experiment none of us have experience in, there’s always somebody in the institute who knows how to do it and, because everyone’s so collaborative, they can help us get off the ground.
“The fact money raised at Race for Life goes to support this broad infrastructure for research, allowing non-specialists to try out new experiments and do different things, really accelerates the process of research.”
Every year around 38,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England** and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.*** Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – helping to save more lives.
Michael Jarvis, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the East of England, said: “We’re really grateful to Prof Bohndiek, her lab and everyone else who’s taken part and supported Race for Life alongside Prof Bohndiek over the years.
“Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. We’ve seen survival rates in the UK double in the last 40 years thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers. Science is winning, but this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country.
“Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. We want to make sure everyone can join the Race for Life movement. Our participants come from different backgrounds, with different stories, but with one thing in common – the determination to help beat cancer.
“Together, we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So, we’re asking people across Cambridgeshire: Who will you Race for?”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Chief executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, Andy Curran said: “We’re extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
To enter visit raceforlife.org
