In March, Billy, Charlie, Issy and I will be running the Hampton Court Half Marathon in memory of my wonderful Dad and your dearly loved friend. Oesophageal Cancer is a silent killer with limited symptoms, heartburn in Dad's case being the only indicator, hence it is frequently only diagnosed when it is too progressed to fight effectively. In the UK it claims the lives of 22 people every day, it is the 7th most common cause of Cancer death.

Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer is currently only possible through an invasive hospital procedure called endoscopy which is expensive, not readily accessible and also difficult to perform in a COVID-19 safe manner. Heartburn Cancer UK (HCUK) are fundraising for an exciting new project which introduces an alternative solution, ‘The Cytosponge’.
This test can be performed in a community setting such as a GP surgery or nurse led-clinic. The Cytosponge is a small capsule on a string which is swallowed by the patient. It expands in the stomach to form a sponge and is then removed a few minutes later, collecting cells from the inner lining of the oesophagus. Available evidence suggests that appropriate use of the Cytosponge could reduce rates of oesophageal cancer by up to 50% and that NHS cost savings of 50% could be made in comparison to screening using endoscopy.
 The test has been developed at the University of Cambridge and has been rigorously tested in thousands of patients and now requires testing in a primary care setting. This isn’t currently possible in doctors’ surgeries because of COVID-19 so HCUK have stepped in to to provide a mobile diagnostic unit to enable the progress of the Cytosponge on its journey to being readily available. 

All funds we raise will contribute directly to the £37,000 HCUK have left to raise to purchase and run the specialist mobile diagnostic unit to pilot the use of this exciting, innovative and lifesaving test. HCUK's longer term ambition is to increase the availability of Cytosponge testing through these units such that it is a readily available screening test for people with symptoms such as Heartburn. Supporting this exciting and forward-thinking project will increase early diagnosis, reduce NHS spending and save lives, so please help us support HCUK in this project. 

Even if we can stop just one person from getting this awful disease then I think that is something to fight for. Time is precious, time and memories with Dad are even more precious now, invaluable really; lets give someone else the time and memories they deserve with their friend, partner or parent. You never imagine cancer could enter your world, your family, your life until it does – so let’s make a difference together! However much you might care to give, no matter how big or small will be hugely appreciated.

Here are a couple of links for more detail if you would like to find out more-

> https://youtu.be/swPrjzOAGkc 

> https://heartburncanceruk.eu.rit.org.uk/cytosponge 

> https://heartburncanceruk.eu.rit.org.uk/best3trial