UPDATE APRIL 2011
Having been chosen as a featured runner by the race organisers, there was no way I could back out of the Woman's 10k 2011. So I'm aiming to blow last years time out of the water, or at least be faster than 57:54 I got last year! The training was slow to start, what with the new job in Edinburgh, rubbish weather and serious poor motivation. But thanks to the Glasgow Running network, I've been out fairly regularly and am confident I can beat last years time.
http://www.runglasgow.org/10k-2011/featured_runners_02-more-of-your-fellow-runners.php
Thanks again for your support! Often when I just can't be bothered it's what keeps me going!
Fiona
UPDATE AUGUST 2010:
We became involved with Think Pink Scotland last year, a group set up to help raise awareness and generate funds towards breast cancer research and currently raising funds for a new lab in the Beatson Pebble Appeal. This was after Mum had received fantastic treatment and support at the Beatson Institute for breast cancer and we wanted to give something back so that others could have the same opportunities in the fight against cancer.
This involvement became even more relevant when Mum was suddenly diagnosed with a highly aggressive secondary cancer and within weeks passed away. We truly thought Mum had won the fight after being given the all clear only months previously. What this has highlighted to us is how much still needs to be discovered to understand, diagnose and treat this horrific disease.
The prevalence of cancer in our society leaves us lost for words - the current statistic is that 1 in 3 people will develop cancer during their lifetime. While this is a shocking statistic, the continuous developments in detecting and treating cancer are resulting in increased survival rates for patients. We want to help accelerate such developments and while we don’t have the medical knowledge or specialist skills to contribute, we have the time and motivation to do what we can.
We have set ourselves the challenge of raising money to provide diagnostic equipment for the new Beatson Translational Research Centre. We want these expert researchers to have access to the best equipment available to further their understanding, and translate this into more effective diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. And the hope is that the impact of this work will reach way beyond the west of Scotland, as developments are shared with other centres of excellence like the Beatson across the globe.
In order to reach our target we will be organising and taking part in a series of fun-filled events. The first is Fiona taking part in the Glasgow Women's 10k race on 9th May, while Jenny will find a suitable challenge in New Zealand in a few months!
Thank you for your support and for whatever donation you make - every penny counts.
Fiona and Jenny x
PS - if you are a UK tax payer, please don't forget Gift Aid - where the taxman gives us an extra 28p for every pound donated. Much better with us than him!
USEFUL LINKS:
The Beatson Pebble Appeal is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow Trust, Cancer Research UK, NHS and the Beatson Institute. Funds raised are managed by the University of Glasgow Trust.
For more information on Think Pink, please go to www.thinkpinkscotland.org
For more information on the Beatson Pebble Appeal, please go to www.beatsonpebbleappeal.org
