WILMSLOW CANCER SCIENTIST JOINS NEW RACE FOR LIFE WEEKEND

A cancer scientist from Wilmslow, who is being treated for leukaemia himself, is urging people across Cheshire to unite against cancer by taking part in a special Race for Life weekend this September.

The Tatton Park Race for Life was among 400 mass participation events which organisers Cancer Research UK cancelled this year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 outbreak. The charity is expecting a staggering £160 million drop in income in the year ahead with a £44 million cut to life-saving research funding already.

Now to help tackle the devastating loss, undeterred women and men are vowing to raise funds by completing their own Race for Life 5K in their nearest green space on Saturday September 26th.

They plan to take part outdoors either alone or in small, socially distanced groups – but all on the same day – to help people with cancer. Supporters can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for a “Very 2020 Race for Life.”

Dr Wolfgang Breitwieser, 53, is a senior scientist at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, part of the University of Manchester, currently based at Alderley Park. He leads a team of researchers who analyse cells from cancer patients to identify genes and help develop life-saving treatments.

Wolfgang also has personal experience of undergoing treatment for cancer. He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 2010 after a routine blood test showed unusual changes to his red and white blood cells. Some weeks later he also noticed swelling in various lymph nodes around his body. Wolfgang was referred to the Christie Hospital in Manchester, where he continues to receive outpatient treatment today.

He said: “As a cancer scientist, and someone who has cancer, I know first-hand just how important new discoveries are to help people survive the disease. It’s thanks to advances in treatment that I have lived with this disease for ten years and am able to continue with my work and hobbies. I feel remarkably well most of the time and enjoy lots of active pastimes such as cycling and running.

“However, I am concerned about vital research that has been delayed as a result of the pandemic and what this might mean for future generations. Even though the Race for Life will look a bit different in 2020, it’s important that we continue raising money for Cancer Research UK to help beat cancer. While we may all still be apart, we can still unite with a common goal to fund life-saving research.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5K, 10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

Thanks to the generosity of people across the North West, Race for Life participants last year raised over £2 million to support vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer – a disease that will affect one-in-two people in the UK at some stage in their lives.

A live broadcast on the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook page at 9.30am on Saturday September 26th, will include an energiser from a fitness expert as well as inspirational messages of support from people who have been through cancer. Participants are then free to set off on their own Race for Life. Organisers are also inviting participants to share photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #Very2020RaceForLife.

Over 40,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West of England*. But the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity currently funds around 50 per cent of all publicly funded cancer research in the UK. However, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, promising projects which could have the big answers to cancer are being held up.

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in the North West said: “We are incredibly grateful to Wolfgang for sharing his story and supporting the new Race for Life challenge this September. He is living proof of how research into cancer can make a real difference.

“Vital cancer research has been delayed this year. Even though we have to Race for Life differently in 2020, nothing’s going to stop us running, walking or jogging to raise money and help beat cancer. Whatever the hurdle, we’ll keep going and we’d urge as many people as possible across Cheshire to join us for a Very 2020 Race for Life on September 26.

“People can set off from their home to complete 5K their way that day. Whether people are taking part in Race for Life this September in their local park or even in their back garden, they’ll be united by a determination to beat cancer together. This is going to be a very 2020 Race for Life but together we will still beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies entirely on the public’s generous support. The charity was able to spend over £30 million last year in the North West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

Visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770. Join in and share with #Very2020RaceForLife

Pictured - Dr Wolfgang Breitwieser, a senior scientist at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute.