GASTROCAN researchers at the University of Aberdeen are to benefit from over £8,000 raised at the annual Run Balmoral event held on Royal Deeside
On Saturday 27th May over 50 hardy and dedicated fundraisers took part in the annual Run Balmoral event on Royal Deeside to raise money for GASTROCAN, the University of Aberdeen fund which supports research to improve treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancer.
The participants ranged from volunteer fundraisers to members of University staff from various departments who ran either 5K or 10K to help raise funds for research into these particularly devastating forms of cancer.
Volunteer fundraiser Irene Black from Turriff (right middle) who lost her husband to oesophageal cancer in November 2012 said "At the age of 59 I decided to take part in the Run Balmoral 10K race for the first time in memory of my husband Roy. I had never done anything like this in the past so this was a whole new venture for me. Roy was diagnosed in January 2011 and during his treatment, took part in two of Dr Russell Petty's clinical trials. He was always eager to take part in the trials saying 'if it doesn't help me it might help someone else', so needless to say I feel I have to carry this on by helping Dr Petty and his team in their research through GASTROCAN."
Dr Russell Petty, a consultant medical oncologist at NHS Grampian and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, added: “I am so grateful to every single one of the Run Balmoral participants for their fundraising efforts to raise money for GASTROCAN.
“All the funds raised will provide vital assistance for our research programme of clinical trials and laboratory research to develop better treatments for gastro-oesophageal cancer. Through this research, we are helping patients in the north east gain access to the best possible treatments as well as aiming to develop the more effective treatments of the future.”
Fundraising income for GASTROCAN is channelled through the University of Aberdeen’s Development Trust which is an independent registered charity. The Trust raises essential funds to support much of the University’s activities such as vital medical research as well as supporting students through the provision of scholarships, bursaries and facilities. Funding from alumni, individuals, companies, organisations and the community is essential for the development of the medical research undertaken by GASTROCAN and many other activities.
Irene is pictured above middle with friends and fellow participants Barbara Mair (left) and Fiona Morrison (right).