A Surrey man is set to take on the 2025 TCS London Marathon in memory of his father and aunt.
Dan Reeves, from Thames Ditton, will run the 26.2 miles on April 27 to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Dan is one of more than 700 runners raising money for the cause, which is the event's charity of the year.
The money raised will go towards vital research to develop the first-ever early detection test for pancreatic cancer.
Such a breakthrough would be a game-changer for the disease, giving thousands more people the chance to have lifesaving treatment and allowing others more precious time with their loved ones.
Dan has chosen to run for the charity, 15 years after he last took on the challenge for Pancreatic Cancer UK, because the disease remains one of the most underfunded of the cancer types here in the UK.
He lost both his father and aunt within a year of one another and has championed for further funding into research and improved outcomes ever since.
Dan said: "When I received my ballot entry I didn’t hesitate to sign up for Pancreatic Cancer UK to raise funds for this wonderful charity.
"Their dedication to funding research and communicating the deadly nature of the disease is outstanding.
"Since losing my father and aunt to the disease 17 years ago there has been little improvement in the survival rates for pancreatic cancer.
"However, in the last five years, research projects and a greater understanding of the disease is gaining traction and so I am rising to the challenge once again to raise funds to accelerate the eradication of this disease."
Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer, with more than half of people dying within three months of diagnosis.
Currently, no screening programmes or early detection tests exist to help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer and its vague symptoms - such as back pain, unexpected weight loss and indigestion - are also common to many less serious conditions.
Tragically, as a result, 80 per cent of people are not diagnosed until their cancer is at an advanced stage, meaning that it is too late for them to have lifesaving surgery.
By 2027 pancreatic cancer is projected to overtake breast cancer and become the fourth biggest cancer killer in the UK.
Despite the disease’s appallingly low survival rate, pancreatic cancer receives just three per cent of the annual UK cancer research budget.
In stark contrast to other cancers, where significant progress has been made to improve survival rates, decades of underfunding have meant that pancreatic cancer survival hasn’t improved since the 1970s.
Less than seven per cent of those diagnosed with the deadliest common cancer in the UK survive beyond five years.
Diana Jupp, CEO at Pancreatic Cancer UK said: "The magnitude of this opportunity cannot be overstated.
"The 2025 TCS London Marathon is going to be one of the most significant days for pancreatic cancer ever and we are so, so proud of everyone running for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
"By taking on the ultimate test, our runners will help deliver the ultimate test, and make early detection a reality for this devastating disease."
Share