FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pancreatic Cancer UK becomes 2025 TCS London Marathon Official Charity
of the Year
Pancreatic Cancer UK today issued a rallying cry to runners - "Take on the
ultimate test to help develop the ultimate test"- as it was announced as
the official Charity of the Year for the 2025 TCS London Marathon.
The charity aims to raise £2 million to give doctors a game-changing early
detection test for the deadliest common cancer. Such a breakthrough could
save thousands of lives a year from the disease, which kills more than half
of people within just three months of their diagnosis.
Survival rates for pancreatic cancer have barely improved in 50 years - in
stark contrast to the improvements seen in outcomes for many other types of
cancer. No screening programmes or early detection tests exist to help
doctors. Tragically, as a result, 80 per cent of people are not diagnosed
until their cancer is at an advanced stage meaning that it is often too
late for them to have lifesaving treatment. By 2027 the disease is
projected to overtake breast cancer and become the fourth-biggest cancer
killer in the UK.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: "The 2025 TCS
London Marathon will be one of the most important days for pancreatic
cancer ever and we are so, so proud to be the official Charity of the Year.
For 50 years, research into this devastating disease has been underfunded
and left behind, leaving families with only hope to hold on to.
"But they deserve more than hope. To have an early detection test finally
within reach, which could save as many lives as there are runners taking
part in this iconic event is hugely exciting. That's why we're calling on
people across the UK to raise awareness and help develop the ultimate test
by supporting our TCS London Marathon campaign. Together we can deliver
more than hope to every family affected by the deadliest common cancer.'
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, said: "We're
delighted to welcome Pancreatic Cancer UK as our official Charity of the
Year for the 2025 TCS London Marathon. We know that early detection of the
disease is essential to survival rates, and we hope that this opportunity
means Pancreatic Cancer UK can raise the funds required to make significant
developments in the availability of screening and early detection tests. My
father, Chris Brasher, co-founder of the London Marathon, died from
pancreatic cancer just six months after diagnosis so I know well the
devastating impact of this disease. We wish the team at Pancreatic Cancer
UK all the very best in their efforts and look forward to working with them
in the year ahead.'
Ahead of today's announcement, Pancreatic Cancer UK unveiled its new logo,
which will be featured on the kit of the 800 runners it hopes to recruit
for next year's TCS London Marathon. The charity is also changing the way
it communicates, with new bolder and stronger messaging to demand attention
and drive action to tackle the deadliest common cancer.
The TCS London Marathon is a key opportunity to raise vital income to fund
research innovation while increasing public awareness, so that Pancreatic
Cancer UK can reach more people with its award-winning support services.
The launch video for the Ultimate Test campaign is narrated by Graham
Sturge, who ran the 2017 London Marathon for the charity just hours after
his dad, John, died from pancreatic cancer. Since that incredibly emotional
run, Graham has gone on to complete all six of the Abbott World Marathon
Majors, raising more than £100,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK. He will be
running again in 2025.
YouTube Video:
Pancreatic Cancer UK - The 2025 TCS London Marathon's Charity of the Year
Sturge, 51, said: "Finding out that a loved one has pancreatic cancer is
devastating for them, for you and for the family. At that point there is
very little positivity, so you look for any element of hope you can find.
But you realise very quickly that hope just simply isn't enough. Funding
from the TCS London Marathon will create more than hope for thousands of
families and generations to come. Having a test within reach for
pancreatic cancer is such an exciting time for everyone.'
Next year's TCS London Marathon will be held on 27 April 2025.
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