TV presenter Adam Hills, who plays for Warrington Wolves’ Physical Disability Team, is part of a line-up of celebrities pushing a joint fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK.
The front man of Channel 4’s The Last Leg is joined by the likes of Nick Grimshaw, Charlene White, Joel Dommett, Robert Rinder, Ade Adepitan and Gizzi Erskine for the campaign.
In a moving film, they can be seen speaking candidly about the impact cancer has had on their lives, revealing personal stories of close friends and family that have been affected.
Hills said: “I’m standing up to cancer for my dad who dealt with cancer for so much of his life – first stomach cancer, then leukaemia. I’m standing up for him and for all the people going through cancer who share their stories with bravery, with humility, with courage.
“Scientists are making huge strides in this battle and by raising crucial funds we can all fight against cancer.”
Spurred on by their experiences, they are calling on everyone to make a stand against the disease by raising money to accelerate life-saving research.
Fundraising ideas include getting sponsored to stand up all day, or for as long as people can, on Friday October 15. Or supporters can choose how and when they take on the standing up challenge.
In the North West, around 42,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.* Stand Up To Cancer helps to take breakthroughs from the lab and transform them into new treatments that could make a real difference to people with cancer in the region and across the UK.
Stand Up To Cancer, now in its ninth year in the UK, has raised more than £84 million, funding 59 clinical trials and projects involving over 19,000 cancer patients across the country.
Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “All of the celebrities involved in the campaign have seen the devastating impact that cancer can have on loved ones and we’re grateful to them for sharing their personal experiences to help inspire others.
“1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime,** but all of us can play a part in helping to beat it. That’s why we’re asking everyone to Stand Up To Cancer, by standing up on Friday October 15. It’s as simple as that. Whether people stand for the whole day or a few hours – on one leg, two legs, on their head, with a walking stick or do a wheelie every half an hour – whatever the challenge, all money raised in sponsorship will help to speed up progress in vital research. If we all stand together, we can save lives.”
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign will continue throughout September and October and culminate in an awe-inspiring night of TV on Channel 4.
Research projects funded by Stand Up To Cancer include the development of new treatments that use viruses to fight cancer, clinical trials testing potentially more effective ways to deliver radiotherapy and improved surgical techniques for bowel cancer.
For more information and to get a free fundraising kit, visit www.su2c.org.uk/standing-up
