A team of dedicated healthcare professionals from a worldwide centre for cancer are lacing up their running shoes for the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run, determined to raise awareness and highlight the need for more research into sarcoma cancer.
The runners all work in the Rare Tumours Research Team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. They support and look after patients with sarcoma cancers, brain tumours, and teenage and young adult cancer patients.
Suzy Sperl, 32, clinical research nurse; Vicky Short, 33, clinical trial director; Georgia Walsh, 24, senior clinical research practitioner, and Dr Remus Seres, 33, Clinical Fellow in Medical Oncology, are taking part in the half-marathon on 18 May. Funds they raise will be split equally between Sarcoma UK, the Brain Tumour Charity and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues. There are about 100 different sub-types of sarcoma cancer.
Suzy said the team is seeing an increasing number of patients with sarcoma. ‘It could be that more people are aware of the symptoms of sarcoma or simply reflect that the population is getting bigger,’ she said.
A couple of members of the team know of people in their family or social circle who have had forms of sarcoma. A growing number of patients who visit the team are involved in clinical trials that aim to find out if a new treatment or procedure is safe.
Suzy said: ‘Everyone unfortunately knows someone who is or has been affected by cancer and, working at The Christie, we see the effects of cancer on our patients and their families on a daily basis. Research is key to finding cures and alternative treatments, so we all feel incredibly motivated to raise money for these charities, which not only provide vital support to our patients but fund important research projects.’
Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated team from The Christie Hospital’s Rare Tumours Research Unit for taking on the Great Manchester Run. It’s particularly meaningful when healthcare professionals who witness the challenges of sarcoma first-hand step up to raise awareness and funds. Their commitment extends beyond the hospital walls, demonstrating their extraordinary dedication to improving outcomes for the patients they care for every day. These funds will help us continue vital research and support services for everyone affected by sarcoma.’
To donate to the runners, go to RAREing to run Manchester Half Marathon – GiveWheel
