Susan Johnstone, Cancer Research UK’s national events manager in Scotland spoke to TFN about the financial importance of its Race for Live event which is the UK’s biggest fundraiser
In Scotland last year, almost 30,000 women raised a staggering £1.9 million for life saving research by taking part in Cancer Research UK Race for Life events.
This allows us to invest in ground breaking science, such as the £3.7m Accelerator Award that was granted to brain cancer researchers in Edinburgh just last week.
Overall, Cancer Research UK spends around £31m a year in Scotland, investment which wouldn’t be possible without the good will and determination of our supporters.
Money raised by the efforts of everyone who takes part in Race for Life allows the charity’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across Scotland.
On Sunday, you’ll have found me on my marks, bright and early, helping to kick off the annual season of events.
Susan Johnstone is Cancer Research UK’s national events manager in Scotland. To enter Race for Life go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
In Scotland last year, almost 30,000 women raised a staggering £1.9 million
If you were among the crowd at Gannochy Sports Centre in Stirling, you’ll have seen me cheering wildly as a thousand determined women crossed the finish line.
And over at Hopetoun House at South Queensferry, another 1,300 ladies took part in 5k and 10k Race for Life events, determined to raise money to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
As Cancer Research UK’s national events manager in Scotland, over the years, I have seen thousands of women crossing that finish line in an enthusiastic sea of pink. It’s always exciting and often moving.
And it is humbling that many of our supporters return year after year, often in celebration of cancer survival or, sadly, because they have lost a loved one to this cruel disease.
The beauty of Race for Life, which is more than 20 years old, is that you don’t have to be fit or fast to take part. Women can comfortably walk the 5k route in under an hour. They can push their children around the course in a buggy, or join a group of friends and hula hoop round the route if that’s their heart’s desire.
For those who want more of a challenge, we recently introduced 10k events into the Scottish programme, which now has 14 dates. And later on this year, ladies can immerse themselves in the fabulous filthy fun that is the 5k Pretty Muddy obstacle course.
Whatever event ladies choose to enter, part of Race for Life’s enduring appeal is its supportive atmosphere. It isn’t competitive. Women of all fitness abilities can take part.
Cancer touches so many – one in two of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime and every hour, around three people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.
Our vision to beat cancer sooner is universal and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who takes part in Race for Life.
Susan Johnstone is Cancer Research UK’s national events manager in Scotland. To enter Race for Life go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
