A Queen’s University cancer researcher is cycling 300 miles for Cancer Research UK and is urging others to do the same.
Dr Richard Turkington is calling on people of all ages and abilities to sign up for the charity’s Cycle 300 challenge to help get cancer research back on track after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Participants can choose how, when and where to clock up 300 miles on a bike in September to raise money for research.
Cancer Research UK currently funds around 50% of all publicly funded cancer research in the UK. However, as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis, promising projects have been put on hold.
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Jean Walsh, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Northern Ireland, said: “Covid-19 put so much of our research on pause and the cancellation of fundraising events, as well as the temporary closure of our Cancer Research UK shops, has left the charity facing an income crisis where every day and every pound counts.
“With around 9,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in Northern Ireland, we will never stop striving to create better treatments. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up to Cycle 300 and use pedal power to help research move forward.”
Dr Turkington is funded by Cancer Research UK and carries out research into oesophageal and stomach cancer.
Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in the world and symptoms include difficulty swallowing and heartburn for more than three weeks.
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Catching the disease early is especially important and Dr Turkington’s research focuses on new ways to diagnose and treat oesophageal cancer.
Jean continued: “We are very grateful to Dr Turkington for his support and hope it will start a chain-reaction, sparking the interest among cyclists of all ages and abilities. Every mile counts, whether you choose long rides through the rolling countryside or clocking up miles on an exercise bike in front of the TV.”
To sign up now for a free fundraising pack visit www.cruk.org/cycle300
