I have chosen to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon for the Royal Marsden. The Royal Marsden charity supports cancer patients in a number of ways. Primarily, it functions to ensure that the hospitals can provide patients with the essential treatment they require and care they deserve, as well as support for their families for the duration of their treatment and afterwards. Furthermore, the charity contributes to ensuring that patients are treated in facilities of the highest standard and with equipment of the highest quality so that they are provided with the reassurance and comfort they need whilst receiving treatment.

The Royal Marsden also helps to fund the hospitals’ participation in currently over 600 clinical trials. These trials may pave the way for potentially more effective and less harmful treatment options for cancer patients in the future, which could greatly improve their quality of life. Working in cancer research has opened my eyes to the reality that cancer patients face and the challenges they must overcome on a day-to-day basis. Learning about how demanding and intense participating in a clinical trial can be has taught me not only to have a greater appreciation for my health, but also inspired me to do more to help those individuals living with cancer.

It is vital that the Royal Marsden continues to provide support to patients and their families, treatment facilities and innovative research so that one day, the burden of the disease is no longer so great. Cancer touches everyone’s lives, including my own, in one way or another. Any donations, however big or small, would be really appreciated. Thank you!

Hannah x