WJL  Ltd are running the Potters ‘Arf marathon in memory of Chris Birch, who very soon after diagnosis lost his life to Pancreatic cancer, leaving behind his beloved wife and their 2 young  sons 

We are doing 13 miles for Chris Birch, a sorely missed and much-loved friend and colleague at WJL. A confidant, a workaholic, a perfectionist, who was loyal, kind, funny and caring.  There are many words to describe the gentle soul who made time for everyone.  Each of us has a personal memory that we hold dear.  Lots of them based around our Christmas work do’s involving vodka and dancing.  He was the kind of man who left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and you couldn’t help but warm to him.

As we are a competitive lot, this challenge is likely to test both stamina and speed, and the rest of the team will be there from WJL to cheer our runners on and to remember our much-loved friend and work colleague.

It seemed obvious and appropriate to run the Potters ‘Arf marathon to fundraise for Purple Rainbow.   Purple Rainbow raises awareness of pancreatic cancer in support of  Pancreatic Cancer UK and was set up in memory of Seth Goodburn by his wife Lesley in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK. Seth died in 2014 33 days after his diagnosis since then Lesley had been raising awareness and  funds for PCUK 

Survival rates have improved enormously for most cancers, but sadly, for pancreatic cancer, this is not the case.  The facts around diagnosis and survival rates of Pancreatic cancer are genuinely horrifying & far worse than for some other cancers. and with treatment and care being affected by the pandemic, the situation is only getting worse.

 In the UK, around 10,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year and it has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers – only around 5% of those diagnosed survive for five years or more. (Figures from World Cancer Research Fund 2020)

Please give what you can to enable them to continue with their vital research, which is focused on four key areas: understanding the biology of pancreatic cancer; diagnostics and imaging; developing new treatments; and improving current treatments. 

It is this research that will aid the development of more effective detection, diagnosis and treatment for all patients.