Running for Pancreatic Cancer UK

Pancreatic Cancer UK re-launched their annual ‘Jog 28 miles in February Challenge’, where hundreds take on the daily mile challenge to help fund breakthroughs in research and raise awareness for pancreatic cancer.

Emma and Imogen Beagley, a mother and daughter from Twickenham, London, have been taking on the challenge.

Paying homage to their promotional slogan, ‘Every little bit helps’, they have already raised an amazing sum of £1,035, having exceeded their fundraising targets all before the end of the month.

Pancreatic Cancer

Statistics curated by Cancer Research UK shows that the UK saw 10,452 new cases of pancreatic cancer between 2016 and 2018. This two-year period experienced 9,421 deaths from pancreatic cancer.

Between 2013 and 2017 patients across England and Wales had just a 5% chance of surviving pancreatic cancer for ten or more years.

However, 37% of pancreatic cancer cases in the UK are preventable.

Being the tenth most common form of cancer in the UK with a heavily underfunded research programme, there is vital cause for concern. UK citizens and individuals involved with those affected by the disease are continuing the great work of fundraising.

Making a difference

The greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, once said: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”.

And if we can combine our passion for sport and fitness with the generous but crucial act of charity, then we can all embody the words of Ali.

Fundraise for pancreatic cancer

“Your support means we can fund vital world-leading research, our nurses can be here for those affected now and campaign for change. By raising money, together, we can transform the future for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.” – Pancreatic Cancer UK

After losing beloved Mother and Grandmother, Geraldine Crippen, in 2015, Emma and Immy Beagley have taken on the challenge to run in her memory and support the underfunded research programme.

Immy Beagley shared her story with the Sports Gazette:

“My Grandma passed away due to Pancreatic Cancer in 2015 and my God-father also passed away from it and then a family friend as well.”

“There are no cures for pancreatic cancer yet, only chemotherapy treatment, so I wanted to raise money to help the charity.

Pancreatic Cancer is a disease that is mostly incurable, with the potential of survival only if diagnosed early.

“You always see Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, which is amazing, but I wanted to run for something personal and underfunded, as I don’t think many people have heard of it in comparison to other illnesses.”

Progress throughout the month

“I found the first few days hard, but they’ve gotten easier as you get fitter.”

Immy shared her experience of not only running for a great cause but the mental and physical benefits of using sport as a fundraiser:

“It is a bit stressful if you’ve got a busy day but I have noticed that my mental state has gotten a lot better from running every day, because I’m getting up and doing exercise daily whereas before in January I wasn’t really doing much, so now I feel happy and healthier.”

The support that Immy and Emma have received has been very promising to end the month with incredible funds and awareness raised.

“We’re very happy, everyone has been really generous and shown amazing support, sharing on Instagram to get the word out.

“We hope to raise as much money as possible, we set out the initial goal of £500 and now we are currently at £1,035.”

Future fundraisers

“I would love to run a marathon one day. Next summer, maybe a half marathon, and then when I am older, run a full marathon, because watching my brother do it was amazing.”

Immy shared that running for a personal cause makes the challenge all the more worthwhile and fulfilling.

“I feel that when you’re running for a cause that is personal, it gives you that motivation to do it.

“My Grandma went through a lot of chemo, and she was made very ill through it all, and people going through that have no choice but to go through that every day, so I have to run every day, so that’s what motivates me to keep going.”

The admirable work that Immy and Emma have done this month is being deservingly recognised by Pancreatic Cancer UK, naming them ‘One of our top fundraisers for our Jog 28 Miles Challenge’ after the charity shared that the cohort of runners have raised £201,000 so far.

Immy and Emma’s donation page will remain open until March 20th on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/948397779215378/3072651533002611/

Find out how to continue support for Pancreatic Cancer UK here:

https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/join-an-event/

To read more articles from the author follow the link below:

https://sportsgazette.co.uk/author/lukeyoung221gmail-com/