Cambridge Half Marathon Runners Unite to Fund Pioneering Cancer Hospital
A leading hospital charity in the East of England has celebrated the determination of its participants in this year's TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, emphasizing that every runner has a unique and personal story behind their efforts. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT) is rallying 210 runners to raise crucial funds for the construction of a groundbreaking new cancer hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, located near Addenbrooke's Hospital.
As the official charity for Addenbrooke's, ACT supports cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, additional comforts, and vital research that goes beyond what the NHS can provide. The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) will be a first for the region, integrating world-leading research and clinical care under one roof to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes across the UK and globally.
Personal Journeys of Resilience and Hope
Donna Lee-Willis, ACT's head of community fundraising, praised the runners for their incredible stories of resilience. "Every single one of our runners in this year's half marathon has a story to tell of resilience and determination," she said. "It has been incredibly moving hearing all their stories and why they are motivated to raise money for ACT to help build the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital."
Among the participants is Sunita Mena, a mother-of-two from Essex who underwent a life-saving liver transplant after acute liver failure. Following her recovery, Sunita was diagnosed with cancer and decided to run the half marathon as a tribute to her second chance at life. "This half marathon is my way of giving back," she explained, highlighting her commitment to raising awareness for organ donation and cancer care.
Chris Doughty, 47, from Elmswell in Suffolk, is running for the second consecutive year after his son Oli was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at age 10 in 2018. Chris and his friend Garry, whose daughter Arlea also battled leukaemia, have raised over £6,000 for the new hospital. Garry noted the advancements in cancer treatments, saying, "The care that Arlea had received at Addenbrooke's had been second to none."
Impact and Community Support
The new hospital, spanning seven floors, will house three world-leading University of Cambridge research institutes focused on early detection, integrated cancer medicine, and precision breast cancer medicine. This facility aims to accelerate innovations and bring new treatments to patients more quickly.
Donna Lee-Willis encouraged the community to support the runners not only through donations but also by attending the event to cheer them on. "The difference the hospital will make to the region, and beyond, is enormous," she stated. Last year, ACT's 200 runners raised an impressive £150,000, and this year's goal is to exceed that amount with 210 participants.
Other runners include an orthopaedic consultant, a professor from the Early Cancer Detection Institute, and individuals advocating for rare conditions like Addison's Disease. The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon is renowned for its scenic route through historic Cambridge, attracting runners from across the UK.
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital aligns with the Government's ten-year cancer plan, emphasizing innovation, early detection, and precision treatment. By sharing their personal stories, these runners are not only raising funds but also inspiring hope for a future with improved cancer care.
