WARRINGTON scientist Emma Fairweather is urging women to back life-saving research – by signing up for one of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events in the North West.
Bioscientist Emma, from Lymm, wants to inspire local women to enter the Race for Life 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy – a 5k or 10k obstacle course with extra mud- at Tatton Park on Saturday 24 June or Sunday 25 June by showing the difference they can make in the fight against cancer.
Emma is pictured with a placard with the words ‘this is beating cancer’ to highlight the crucial connection between taking part and helping save lives by funding vital work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Emma, aged 28, said: “I’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all the women who participate in Race for Life at Tatton Park and to everyone who supports them.
“There is a clear connection between all the mums, grans, daughters, sisters and friends of all ages who walk, jog or run their way around the events and the doctors, nurses and scientists in labs and hospitals, working on the front-line against cancer. Without them, our work wouldn’t be possible so we are very grateful for their support and commitment.”
Emma works at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute – part of The University of Manchester, and is playing an important role in developing cancer drugs of the future to improve treatment for patients.
She is based in the Drug Discovery Unit where she works as part of a team of scientists helping develop new drugs to treat cancer patients. Her recent work includes being part of a team who are developing a potential new treatment for lung cancer.
Emma is determined to encourage women to take part in Race for Life and help to raise vital funds, as she knows research has the power to save lives.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Marathon and Hiking events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding vital research.
Money raised through Race for Life helps Cancer Research UK to fund long-term research and pioneering trials, leading to new tests and kinder treatments which could save the lives of men, women and children across Cheshire and beyond.
Cancer Research UK research and clinical trials have helped doctors use the drug tamoxifen to its full potential, revolutionising treatment and prevention of breast cancer and boosting survival. And the charity’s early research work helped develop cisplatin, which is now used to treat testicular and other types of cancer.
Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Cheshire, said: “By taking part in Race for Life, women in Cheshire can make a real difference in the fight against cancer.
“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Research is very expensive and the only way we can afford to fund it is with the help of our supporters. Money raised through Race for Life is helping to drive life-saving research in to over 200 different types of cancer – so every person, step and penny raised counts.”
Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies on the public’s support. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend over £23million last year in the North West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research – helping more men, women and children survive cancer.
Alison said: “This is a rallying call for women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities to sign up now and step up to the start line. Race for Life isn’t about being the fittest, fastest or first to the finish. It’s about coming together in the fight against this devastating disease.
“Our aim is that one day everyone will survive cancer and the more women who Race for Life, the sooner that day will come. Money raised – whether it’s £10 or £100 – will help Cancer Research UK scientists understand more about how to prevent the disease and to find new ways to diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
She continued: “We’re so grateful to all the women across Cheshire who walk, jog and run at Race for Life. Thanks to their participation, and commitment to raising the crucial funds needed to beat cancer, we can continue to make vital strides forward in research. The advances we’ve made since Race for Life started in 1994 show we are moving in the right direction.”
To enter Race for Life today visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
