Cancer scientist set for fifth Race for Life in Cambridge

A scientist at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute is urging people to back life-saving research and join her in entering Race for Life.

Professor Sarah Bohndiek will be joined by lab members Tom Else, Katie-Lou White, Janek Gröhl and Kris Dreher for her fifth Race for Life 10k at Jesus Green on Sunday, July 2.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events that raise millions of pounds every year.

This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive an exclusive medal to mark the milestone.

Prof Bohndiek hopes her work developing cutting-edge imaging to detect and monitor cancer and her dedication to Race for Life – in memory of her nan and aunt, who both died of breast cancer – will help inspire people to keep raising funds.

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“Race for Life is an inspiring day. It’s an event where everyone’s got this common experience – you’re there for a person you love who’s been affected by cancer and has either survived or isn’t with you anymore, and you’re cherishing that person and celebrating their life, so it’s quite emotional, but at the same time it’s really inspiring because everybody’s there coming together to try and beat the disease,” she said.

Prof Bohndiek continued: “I’m really lucky to have a lot of support from Cancer Research UK. Being part of the CRUK Cambridge Institute means the process of testing new hypotheses and ideas is quick, meaning we can try out risky ideas, but have the flexibility to move on to something new if things don’t work out. Outside of an institute, without the core funding, facilities and infrastructure we have here, it’s a much longer process.

“We can also build from the knowledge base other people have here, so even if my team wants to do an experiment none of us have experience in, there’s always somebody in the institute who knows how to do it and, because everyone’s so collaborative, they can help us get off the ground.

“The fact money raised at Race for Life goes to support this broad infrastructure for research, allowing non-specialists to try out new experiments and do different things, really accelerates the process of research.”

Every year around 38,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – helping to save more lives.

Michael Jarvis, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the East of England, said: “We’re really grateful to Prof Bohndiek, her lab and everyone else who’s taken part and supported Race for Life alongside Prof Bohndiek over the years.

“Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. We’ve seen survival rates in the UK double in the last 40 years thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers. Science is winning, but this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country.

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“Together, we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So, we’re asking people across Cambridgeshire: Who will you Race for?”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

To enter visit raceforlife.org.