[F]amilies affected by childhood cancer were among the special guests invited to the state-of-the-art MediCinema at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle this week (Friday, 9th February) to launch the 2018 Children’s Cancer Run.
The Children’s Cancer Run, organised by North of England Children’s Cancer Research (NECCR), is now in its 36th year and has raised millions of pounds for research into childhood cancers.
The run, which will be held at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday, 20th May, was officially opened for entries at the launch event by families whose lives had been directly affected by childhood cancer. During the launch event NECCR premiered a short film in the RVI’s MediCinema highlighting the heartbreaking impacts childhood cancer has on families in the North of England and demonstrating the importance of research in the development of better outcomes for patients.
Holly Brough, aged five, from Carlisle, Cumbria along with her mum, Caroline, her dad, Bill, her brother Elliot, seven, and sister Camilla, three were invited as special guests to the official launch event.
Holly’s mum, Caroline, said: “In the autumn of 2014 Holly was complaining of leg pain and stopped walking. Having been referred to the RVI from the Cumberland Infirmary it was here we learned that Holly had leukaemia.
“Over the next two years Holly’s treatment process was a tough time for all of our family. She underwent intense stages in the course of her treatment, lost her hair, had to go in to theatre numerous times as well as having to take steroids while undergoing the chemotherapy. She was at times very unwell, as the numerous side effects of the chemotherapy took hold. Often spending long periods of time away from home at the RVI with myself, she obviously missed home very much.
“Having been through the rigors of treatment with Holly, a hugely rewarding moment for us was when she started school. She was on daily chemotherapy but still managed to attend school on time. Holly is an inspiration to all of us and we are immensely proud of her and everything she’s overcome and we cannot praise enough the life changing work done by her consultant and the nurses and staff at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
“Our involvement with the NECCR began through Holly’s childminder, Kate. Kate and Holly were, and still are, very close and Kate wanted to ‘do something’. She suggested we create ‘Team Holly’ and participate in the NECCR’s Children’s Cancer Run – the theme being Minnie Mouse – Holly’s favourite!
“In 2015 over 65 family members and friends became ‘Team Holly’ and dressed in Minnie mouse costumes to participate in the Children’s Cancer Run, which we have now been involved in for the past three years and are planning to be a part of again this year. Myself, Bill, Holly, Elliot and Camilla all want to say a huge thank you to all of those who have supported us in raising as much money as possible for childhood cancer research.”
The Run offers five mile, three mile and ‘mini mile’ cross country tracks to ensure families and runners of all ages and abilities can take part in the fun run, which is one of the largest single charity run events in Europe.
Roger Whiteside, Chief Executive of leading on-the-go food retailer and main corporate supporter of the run, Greggs, said: “We’re thrilled to once again be able to support the Children’s Cancer Run, which each year manages to rally so many North East communities to come together for a good cause and a tremendous day out.”
Chris Peacock, Chairman of the NECCR, said: “As a childhood cancer survivor myself research into children’s cancer is vitally important to me. The NECCR was set up in 1979 by a group of parents who had mostly lost their children to cancer and since that time we’ve raised over £30million pounds for research here in Newcastle.
“Childhood cancer is still the leading cause of non-accidental death in children in the UK and in the North East alone over 100 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. We try and fund research here in the region to put a stop to this deadly disease and every penny raised through the Children’s Cancer Run goes directly to supporting the development of new therapies and less toxic treatments for children with cancer.”
30 years ago the survival rate of a child with cancer was just 30%, now thanks to research, over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive.
The Children’s Cancer Run is offering early bird entry rates up until Saturday, 31st March. Participants can enter as a single runner, a team, as a family or with their school.
Last year, the event raised £249,000 for the NECCR, adding to the £7million which has already been raised by Children’s Cancer runners over the past 36 years.
To enter, join or create a team, or for more details about the event, please visit: www.childrenscancerrun.co.uk
If you’d like to find out more about the NECCR, visit the charity’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChildrensCancerResearch and Twitter at @NECCR
