UPDATE - Issue 11 - April 2002
Research and the London Marathon
Dan's story
Fund-raising for urological charities is invaluable - it supports research like mine. My current research is to look at the possibility of using cultured bladder cells and tissue engineering technology to develop surgical strategies for the treatment of symptoms such as incontinence and urinary urgency. I am privileged to work with Professor Chris Fry and Dr Peta Foxall in looking specifically out how the process of cell culture affects the characteristics of these cells. When I started it was the British Urological Foundation in conjunction with Blackwell Science Limited - who gave me the initial funding. The next two years have been funded by the St. Peter's Trust who also have close associations with the Institute of Urology and prostate cancer research.
I ran the marathon last year as part of the Magnificent Seven raising money for the Prostate Research Campaign UK and the St. Peters Trust. My personal reason was to give a little back to organisations and people who have supported me - but I met several people who were running for a variety of organisations as patients or former patients - what incredible courage. It was amazing to think of how much support we had and what a motivation that was for us. I managed to beat Steve Redgrave by about 10 seconds - which sounds good but I didn't have to stop for many TV interviews on the way round! The whole experience was phenomenal not only were people willing to support the runners by giving to their chosen charity, thousands turned out to cheer the race on and the organisation was seamless.
If you are reading this and wondering whether you should give some support to the runners this year - then wonder no more. If you've thought about it then you should do it. No matter what you send - big or small your support plays its part in many ways. Firstly, it allows people, like me, to continue with research that is aimed at combating disease in many forms. Secondly, it is a tremendous boost for the charities that support our research and it is only through them that such research and resources exist for the future benefit of patients. Finally, your support for a runner is the most amazing show of encouragement and really does motivate them to succeed and complete the London Marathon.
Take Dan's advice and support the charity. Good luck to all the runners Ed.