LONDONERS are being invited to get their glow on and join a neon night-time walk for Cancer Research UK.
The charity’s annual Shine Night Walk takes place on 21 September, with a full marathon, half marathon and 10k options.
Participants can choose to raise money for the cancer type closest to their hearts, including prostate, breast, bowel, lung, ovarian, brain tumours, children’s cancers and leukaemia, amongst others. Or they can opt to support life-saving research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Anyone who signs up between 19 August and 2 September can claim 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the code SNWAUG24
The event starts and finishes at Battersea Park. Participants will take to the city’s streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light that will help beat cancer one step at a time.
Passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks, the route takes in Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Every year in London around 36,500 people are diagnosed with cancer.** Across the UK more people are surviving than ever before, but the number of cases is increasing year on year – underlining the need to help fund and accelerate new discoveries and breakthroughs.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, Lynn Daly, said: “September 21 is London’s time to shine. Last year’s participants raised a magnificent £3,036,663, so, we’re delighted Shine Night Walk is returning to the city.
“We’re working towards a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. A world where more cancers are prevented, where people with cancer are diagnosed at the earliest possible stage and given kinder, more targeted treatments. But our scientists need more support to go the distance.
“That’s why we hope everyone will grab their glowsticks, walk for loved ones, walk for future generations and walk with friends old and new to help make our vision a reality. Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.*** All of us can support the research that will beat it.”
Last year, Cancer Research UK spent over £162m in London alone.
The city is home to two of the charity’s research centres, the Convergence Science Centre and the City of London Centre, which includes the multidisciplinary Francis Crick Institute. The Francis Crick Institute is dedicated to exploring the biology underlying human health, to improve the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of human diseases.
Research happening right now our in London centres includes:
• We’re helping more people access the latest cancer care.
• Understanding how lung cancer evolves to help personalise treatment.
• We’re using artificial intelligence to improve therapy for sarcoma.
• Trialling aspirin as a cancer treatment.
• We’re investigating how kidney cancers evolve.
• We’re finding the right treatment combination for men with prostate cancer.
By taking part in Shine Night Walk, supporters of all abilities can help fund vital work like this. Training advice is available on the website. Participants can go at their own pace, from a leisurely stroll to a lively stride or a full-on power walk passing the city’s well-loved landmarks.
Lynn added: “Taking part isn’t about being first over the finish line, it’s about helping our scientists go further and faster in the fight against cancer. In the last 50 years, we’ve helped double survival in the UK. That adds up to millions more precious moments for people affected by this devastating disease and their families. Now we’re urging supporters to step up and help power more progress. Together, we are beating cancer.”
People can also shine a light for those affected by cancer by volunteering on the night. From helping to set up the Shine Night Walk course to guiding participants around the city, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and learn new skills.
To enter or volunteer visit shinewalk.org
London is one of 16 locations across the UK selected to host a Shine Night Walk in 2024.
