Local GP’s Marathon effort to fund breast cancer research

Press Release For immediate release: 28 February 2011 Press contact: Louise Garrahan, Media Relations Officer, Breast Cancer Campaign, DD 0207 749 3724, Email: lgarrahan@breastcancercampaign.org Local GP’s Marathon effort to fund breast cancer research Budding runner Martin Billington from Hunter’s Bar in Sheffield has laced up his running shoes to train for the Virgin London Marathon in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. The GP at The Crookes Practice will join thousands of runners for the 26.2mile race on Sunday 17 April to support two friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Following treatment they are both doing well. Martin said: “I ran the Sheffield half marathon for Breast Cancer Campaign in 2009 and managed to raise £3,500 so I’m determined to raise just as much for the London Marathon. I’ve been very impressed by the charity’s effectiveness in helping breast cancer research, both as a supporter and a GP with many patients with this disease. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to run for Campaign at my first London Marathon and hope lots of people will sponsor me for this worthwhile cause.” Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, has given Martin his full backing for the running challenge. He said: “I'm delighted that Martin in my constituency is running the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Campaign. Funding breast cancer research is a fantastic cause as this disease affects so many people across the UK, so I wish him well with his fundraising and good luck for the run. I’m sure the local community will be fully behind him.” To help Martin reach his fundraising target of £5,000 please visit www.justgiving.com/Martin-Billington 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 have a ballot place in this year’s Virgin London Marathon and would like to make a difference to the lives of all those affected by breast cancer, please join Martin 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 who signs up 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: Martin Billington 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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