Local family’s Marathon effort to beat breast cancer

Press Release For immediate release: 21 February 2011 Press contact: Louise Garrahan, Media Relations Officer, Breast Cancer Campaign, DD 0207 749 3724, Email: lgarrahan@breastcancercampaign.org Local family’s Marathon effort to beat breast cancer Budding runner Gemma Bowerman from Towcester, Northants and her grandfather Derek Thomas from Thornborough have laced up their running shoes to train for the Virgin London Marathon in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. Gemma, 20 and Derek, 71, will join thousands of runners for the 26.2mile race on Sunday 17 April after Gemma’s grandmother had breast cancer in 1993 and is now fully recovered with more than 15 years clear. Gemma said: “I’m thrilled to run with my granddad as he is 72 and this will be the last year he is going to run so it’s great we can run together and support this worthwhile cause after my nan had breast cancer. I hope lots of people will sponsor us to help Campaign continue funding vital world-class breast cancer research.” Derek added: “I’m looking forward to running with my granddaughter and supporting the cause as the care my wife received was amazing. I can’t wait for the Marathon this year – Gemma and I have trained hard but really I think I’m still the better runner and will carry her over the line!” Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire, has given Gemma and Derek her full backing for the running challenge. She said: “I'm delighted that Gemma in my constituency is running the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Campaign with her grandfather. Funding breast cancer research is a fantastic cause as this disease affects so many people across the UK, so I wish them well with their fundraising and good luck for the run. I’m sure the local community will be fully behind them.” To help Gemma and Derek reach their fundraising target of £1500 please visit www.breastcancercampaign.org/donations and donate what you can. This year around 48,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and sadly approximately 12,000 will die from this disease. So if you are already training for this year’s marathon and would like to make a difference to the lives of all those affected by breast cancer, please join Gemma and Derek on Campaign’s team. For more information, please call the Events team on 0207 749 4114 or visit www.breastcancercampaign.org If you have your own place there is no minimum sponsorship amount and each runner will receive a fundraising pack including a Breast Cancer Campaign running vest, sponsorship forms and lots of support from the charity on the day. Ends Picture caption: Gemma Bowerman and Derek Thomas Notes to editors • Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure • Currently it supports 84 research projects, worth over £15.9 million, in 31 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women • In the UK, nearly 48,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 130 a day • Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org • Read Chief Executive Pamela Goldberg’s blog http://pamelagoldbergblog.blogspot.com/

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