9:43am Saturday 11th July 2009
By Paula Thompson
Don’t miss Monday’s Daily Echo for your 20-page Race for Life supplement!
GLORIA Hunniford has issued a personal message of good luck to the thousands of ladies taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Southampton tomorrow. The presenter, who lost her daughter Caron Keating to breast cancer four years ago, is patron of the 5k event which annually raises an incredible £60m for lifesaving cancer research.
“I am delighted that the women of Southampton have again signed up for their local event in their thousands,” said Gloria.
Winchester's recent Race for Life
“It is hoped that the 10,000-plus women taking part this year will raise a staggering £590,000 for the charity's lifesaving work.
“I know Race for Life holds a special place in the hearts of many women in Southampton and the determination and passion they feel creates a truly special and inspiring atmosphere on The Common each year.
“On a personal level, Race for Life is a very moving and emotional experience for me. It’s now four years since I lost my gorgeous daughter Caron to cancer, but even in this short period of time, treatments for cancer have improved so much.
“I would like to thank the women of Southampton for their significant contribution towards beating this terrible disease that touches the lives of so many people.”
Southampton participants will be part of a total of 680,000 women from across the UK, taking part at over 230 events this summer.
And the women of Southampton have particular reason to feel proud. Last year alone, their joint efforts in Race for Life raised £564,500 to help beat cancer. Since the first race in Royal Victoria Country Park in 1997, the city has raised an incredible £3m for Cancer Research UK.
The route
Organiser Hannah White said: “Women of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes join in. They motivate and inspire each other to complete the 5k course.
“Many simply walk round, chatting and having fun, but they all share the wonderful spirit of sisterhood and pride on the day.”
Cancer Research UK spent over £3m last year in Southampton on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
The charity is funding a number of scientists at the University of Southampton who are investigating ways to harness the power of the immune system to help treat people with cancer.
“Every day, 105 people are diagnosed with cancer in the south-east,” said Hannah.
“However, the number of people surviving cancer is increasing. In the 1960s, less than three out of ten children diagnosed with cancer were successfully treated. Now, it’s seven out of ten. Today, more than 95 per cent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured and more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before.”
Such progress wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated women who walk, jog or run Race for Life each year. Many of them have survived cancer themselves, others are running in memory of friends and loved ones lost to the disease.
Whatever their inspiration, their goal is the same – to save lives.
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