Researchers to run Half Marathon for cancer charity

A group of researchers from the University of Derby are taking on the Robin Hood Half Marathon later this month.

Dr Elizabeth Marsh, Associate Professor, and colleagues Dr Brenda Caldwell Phillips, Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, Mary-Anne Freckleton, a PhD student funded by Oracle, and Steve Freckleton, May-Anne’s father, will be taking part on 29th September for charity.

The fundraisers from Derbyshire and Staffordshire will be raising money for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, which has funded their research into HPV-positive head and neck cancer. The incidence of head and neck cancers are on the rise and it is now the fourth most common cancer in men and seventh overall. 

Elizabeth said: “Unfortunately we know how devastating this disease can be for the patients that we work with, and so we strive to raise awareness of HPV-positive head and neck cancer as well as work to identify new markers of the disease through our lab-based research.

“Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK fund our research and have been instrumental partners in our basic science and awareness projects. They are an incredible charity dedicated to advancing medical science as well as advocating for patients to improve outcomes for those with head and neck cancer.

“As team member Mary-Anne writes up the findings of her PhD research, we feel that this is now our time to support the charity - and so we are running the Robin Hood Half Marathon on the 29th September to raise funds, but more importantly to continue to raise awareness of HPV-positive head and neck cancer.”

The group has raised over £1,000 for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK and has previously held cancer screening drop-in sessions.

Michelle Vickers, Chief Awareness Officer at Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, said: “We are delighted that Elizabeth and her colleagues are running the Robin Hood Half Marathon to raise funds for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. The important research they are doing will make the world of difference. We have recently launched the Sign Away Cancer campaign, advocating for all young people to get the HPV vaccine. If you are keen to learn more, please visit oraclehnc.org.uk/signawaycancer”

The team’s Just Giving Page is still open for donations. If you wish to donate please click here.

Information about Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK can be found here.