This summer from 1st - 7th August, Gary and Chris will be cycling from John O' Groats to Land's End (nearly 1000 miles) in just 7 days, to raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. You can see more details and follow their progress at www.jogle2010.yolasite.com
Gary's father, John Purdy, died from pancreatic cancer in May 2009, less than five months after his diagnosis. The late detection, which is so typical with this terrible disease, coupled with a lack of effective treatment options, meant that John never got to see his newest Grandson, Albert John, who was born shortly before he passed away.
UPDATE:
Since this trip was planned, Louise's second cousin, Paul Huddlestone was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died 15 days later, at the age of 27. This ride is now, tragically also in his memory. It has further crystallised our focus on the important work of the PCRF.
Each year approximately 7,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death and has the lowest survival rate of all cancers, just 3%. While real progress has been made in treating many other types of cancer, survival rates for pancreatic cancer have barely changed. Yet despite the high death rate, pancreatic cancer attracts little research funding in comparison with many other cancers.
The money raised will be used for the following:
For research into early detection, new treatments and ultimately a cure.
- To encourage more of the research community to get involved in pancreatic cancer research. To lobby the existing major cancer research funding organisations to give pancreatic cancer greater attention.
