Sarah Smith
Sarah's KBC Dublin half marathon page
Fundraising for Breakthrough Cancer Research
Story
I'm running the Dublin half marathon in September in honour of my amazing mum who we tragically lost on the 30th May this year after a short illness. I have decided to run for charity to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, which before this year I knew very little about!
Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate among all major cancers, and in nearly every country, it is the only major cancer with a single-digit five-year survival rate (2-9 percent). In Ireland each year 518 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with 483 dying from the disease. It is also the only cancer that has seen no improvement in this figure over the last 40 years.
Yet despite its high death rate and lack of improvement in chances of survival, pancreatic cancer has attracted little research funding in comparison with many other cancers - currently less than 2% of research funding from the major funding bodies.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat, because it is unusually aggressive, symptoms are often vague and appear at a late stage, when surgery is no longer possible.
Breakthrough cancer research fund researchers with projects which aim to improve cancer care and survival which is vital. So any donation to my page is truly appreciated and will help make a difference so that in the future those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can hopefully have a greater chance of survival and are not taken so quickly from their loved ones.
I know my mum would be thinking oh no...not again, but at the same time she was always the first person there to support me along the way and see me cross the finish line! Mum was my number one supporter, my role model and best friend who I miss so much every day!
Thanks for reading.
Sarah xxx