Entries have opened for the 2022 Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle.
Organisers of the family fun run are asking people to sign up to raise vital funds to support the young people from the region who are being treated for cancer at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
The event will be held on June 26 at Bitts Park.
Among those giving the Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle their backing are the Presch family, from Great Corby.
Mia Presch was just three when she was diagnosed with Wilms Tumour, a rare children’s kidney cancer, in December 2016.
She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and had a kidney removed during her treatment at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.
Mia, who lives with sister Darcey, sister, mum Krista and dad Gareth, has been in remission for four-and-a-half years.
Mia, now aged nine, and Darcey, six, will be taking part in the Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle and are inviting others to sign up to join them.
Gareth said: “Mia’s first symptoms were a bloated tummy. We were told several times by the GP it was nothing to worry about but pushed for a scan, which found a 12cm tumour in her kidney. As a parent, it’s really important to follow your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.
“Mia had excellent treatment at the Great North Children’s Hospital. We feel incredibly lucky that she had such a positive outcome as we are aware it’s not the same for every family.
“Mia is now four-and-a-half years in remission and is doing great. She loves football, swimming and gymnastics and has a fantastic bond with her little sister. We are grateful that she received the treatment she did and we can now move on and look to the future.
“The Children’s Cancer Run is a brilliant opportunity to raise money and awareness – it is really important to help society understand more about cancer. It’s hard to understand the impact it has until you’re going through it. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to sign up to support this fantastic cause.”
The Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle offers the choice of one, three or five mile courses for all ages and abilities, and includes a one-mile course suitable for wheelchair users and children’s buggies.
The event started in North Tyneside almost 40 years ago and has gone on to become the single biggest single charity fun run in the UK, raising over £7.5 millon for children’s cancer research as part of the legacy charity NECCR.
The run now benefits Children’s Cancer North, an independent charity with over 40 years of heritage in supporting individuals and families affected by childhood cancer.
Chris Peacock, chairman of Children’s Cancer North and founder of the Children’s Cancer Run, had a Wilms Tumour, the same cancer as Mia, at the age of three and recently celebrated 40 years cancer free.
The first ever Children’s Cancer Run in the North West was held in September 2019, following a challenge to the charity from another local family who wanted to highlight the issue of childhood cancer and the issues that it brought to Cumbrian families.
Chris said: “It is wonderful to hear that Mia is doing so well, enjoying her football, swimming and gymnastics. We are so grateful that she and her family have chosen to support the Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle.
“Last year 101 children in the North East and Cumbria were diagnosed with cancer. The Children’s Cancer Run raises money to support these children and their families when they’re going through the most difficult of times.
“We are inviting families across the region to sign up and help us in our mission to make this year’s run our most successful yet.
“It is always a fantastic day out for the whole family, and gives a great sense of achievement knowing that you can support the brave children who are fighting this terrible disease.”
The Children’s Cancer Run Carlisle is now open for entries. All registered runners will receive a limited edition medal; a snack pack; and a limited edition t-shirt for all runners aged 16 years and under.
For more information or to sign up, visit https://childrenscancernorth.org.uk/event/childrens-cancer-run-2022-carlisle/
