Many of us have their own story or reason to participate in the Royal Parks Half Marathon and fundraise for Cancer Research UK, as unfortunately too often we hear how cancer affects lives of people  we love, care and adore. I lost a person who raised me, my beloved Grandmother Ludmila due to severe cancer last year and have friends whose families have been significantly impacted by this illness. With the brilliant work done by Cancer Research UK and other charities there is hope - by helping we can all make a
difference!

All the donations from runners/ supporters this year will be going towards the Francis Crick Institute. It is a visionary collaboration between six of the world's leading medical research organizations, including Cancer Research UK who are helping to create an exciting new center of research in London's Kings Cross.

Below are examples of how much clinical trials costs, which could be something that the researchers at the Francis Crick Institute look into:

• £270 covers the cost of a trial for one day aiming to find the best
  treatment for children with a rare type of leukaemia, whose cancer has come
  back after treatment.

• £180 covers the cost of a trial for one day aiming to better understand
  brain cancer to accelerate

Here are just a few examples of Cancer Research UK achievements. They …

• Showed that a drug called mitoxantrone could increase survival
       by more than 50% for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) whose cancer has come back after treatment.
 
• Showed that frequent exposure to X-rays while still in the womb can increase the risk of childhood leukaemia – doctors today avoid giving X-rays to pregnant women when possible.
 
• Developed a chemotherapy combination for acute myeloid leukaemia that‘s still used to treat patients all over the world.

 Revolutionized stem cell transplants, making this lifesaving treatment gentler on the leukaemia patients who need it.
 
• Laid the foundations for the development of imatinib (Glivec), a drug that has transformed the outlook for people with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

 
• Carried out landmark studies showing that there are many different types of leukaemia. This groundbreaking work improved the way that the disease is diagnosed and treated, helping doctors to choose the best treatment for patients.

 
• Supported key UK trials that shaped how children with ALL are treated today. One pivotal trial led to the largest increase in survival in  childhood in the UK to date.

Best,

Yulia