Race for Life turns passion into progress

Nearly 4,000  women united at Westpoint Arena in Exeter yesterday with one mission in mind – to conquer cancer.

Together they have raised just under £220,000.

Now Cancer Research UK is calling on Exeter’s formidable army of mighty-mums, gutsy-grans, feisty friends and go-getting girls to make every step count by paying in their sponsorship money as soon as possible. 

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k and 10k events which raises millions of pounds every year to fund life-saving research.

Ruth Chamings, Race for Life event manager for Devon, said: “I want to say a heartfelt ‘thanks’ to everyone who took part in Race for Life, and their supporters, as well as our heroic volunteers.

“It was a fantastic day, full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as nearly 3800 women joined forces to show cancer who’s boss.

“Now I’m asking all the women who took part - and all the friends, family and colleagues who pledged to sponsor them - to transform their passion into progress by returning the money they’ve raised as soon as possible. 

“Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any Government funding for its ground-breaking work. So every single individual contribution matters.  It enables our researchers to help more men, women and children in Devon survive this devastating disease. 

“Many people don’t realise that their entry fee only covers the cost of the event. It’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. So, whatever the amount, we’re asking everyone to make every effort to return their sponsorship money as soon as possible. It can be paid in online, over the phone by calling 0300 123 0770, or by cheque.”

Every day 84 people in the South West are diagnosed with cancer. But the good news is that research, supported by Race for Life events in Devon, is helping more people survive than ever before. 

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.  Today, more than 95% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured. More women are surviving breast cancer and more children are surviving childhood cancers than ever before.

Nell Barrie, Cancer Research UK’s Senior Science Communication Manager, said: “We want to see people with every type of cancer, including those that are hard to treat, get the same chances of living a long life. The progress made over the last 40 years shows we are moving in the right direction.

“As advances accelerate, our researchers are already laying the foundations for new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. 

"These include personalised medicine where patients will have treatment tailored to their cancer, immunotherapy which harnesses the immune system to target the disease, better screening and tests to diagnose cancer earlier, and ways to help prevent the disease in people who are at risk.

“But each year more and more people are diagnosed with cancer, so there’s still much more to do.  That’s why we need everyone who took part in Race for Life in Exeter to make every step count by supporting our doctors, nurses and scientists so they can take strides forward in the fight against this devastating disease.”

For information on returning sponsorship money, or to make a donation, visit www.raceforlife.org.

• Sisters Molly and Chloe Dundas lost their father to cancer just two weeks ago and took part in the race his memory. Their mother Claire is also going through cancer treatment. The moving video below highlights just why so many want to take part in the Race for Life events.