Our Marathon Runners: Laura Francis
Laura Francis, 32 from Evesham, is taking on the 2018 London Marathon to help raise vital funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action.
Laura has been motivated to take on the 26.2-mile challenge after she sadly lost her father in-law, Pete, to the disease in 2012, a year after diagnosis.
Laura says, “pancreatic cancer took one of the most important men in our lives. Pete was not only my children’s grandad, my husband’s dad, and my father in law but he was our friend, our rock and our hero. There are no words to describe how much we all miss him.
Pancreatic Cancer Action are such a worthy cause and one that is obviously close to our family’s hearts. I want to help spread awareness of this awful disease and inform people how to spot symptoms and hopefully improve early diagnosis.
The statistics need to change”.
Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just 5% which is the lowest of any cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.
Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Laura is taking part in the London Marathon to help raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action. We are very sorry to hear about Pete, it is lovely that you are running in his memory.”
“We rely solely on donations from the public and it’s thanks to people like Laura that we can continue our vital work. Please back Laura in her fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”