Andrea Prais, a 45‑year‑old nurse from Zurich, completed an extraordinary 554 day run around the world, finishing her final steps at St Christopher’s Hospice in London, Saturday 27 July.
Her achievement placed her among only seven others in recorded history to have completed the global expedition on foot.
Her run began in London before heading to Land’s End, then crossing Argentina, Chile, the Andes, the United States and back again. She funded most of the journey herself, supported along the way by the kindness of strangers who offered food, shelter and encouragement.
Her decision to end her global run at St Christopher’s Hospice was deeply personal. Andrea has long admired hospice and palliative care, drawing inspiration from figures such as Dame Cicely Saunders.
Andrea, said, “This challenge is the most transformative thing I’ve ever done. If people see my achievement and it gets people thinking about death, that is all I ask. I would love for my run to help even one person think differently about life or death, then it was all worth it.
“I find the world is kinder than we all think. Given all my experience as a nurse and working in oncology I realised more people needed an understanding about palliative care and my journey will hopefully raise awareness. When you talk to people you realise how much we all need the same things: care, understanding and someone to listen.
“Throughout this journey, Cicely Saunders has travelled with me in spirit. Her vision, and even more so her actions, changed the lives of so many people. Her words, “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die” have stayed with me throughout this run.
“Hospice work always touched me. It’s about dignity, presence and love, so ending my run at St Christopher’s felt right.”
St Christopher’s spokesperson said: “Andrea’s journey embodied the values at the heart of hospice care; compassion, courage and a deep respect for what matters most to people at the end of life.
“We were honoured that she chose to finish her extraordinary run with us, and her story will inspire many to think differently about living well and dying well.”
Andrea completed a morning parkrun before running the final stretch to the hospice, where she was welcomed by supporters, staff and members of the community.
Founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders, St Christopher’s Hospice has been at the forefront of modern hospice care for more than five decades. Dame Cicely’s pioneering vision transformed the way society understands and responds to the needs of people at the end of life, making an extraordinary contribution to reducing human suffering. The hospice admitted its first patient on 13 July 1967, with the official opening following shortly after on 24 July. Since then, St Christopher’s has remained a centre of innovation, compassion and expertise.
