The Teenage Cancer Trust are on the lookout for local residents and runners to join #TeamLegend and take on the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 17th March.
General entry places for the 2019 Bath Half Marathon are completely sold out, but there is still a way you can secure a place in the event. Teenage Cancer Trust are still looking for runners to join their team, and raise awareness and much needed funds for teenagers and young adults with cancer.
Every day, seven young people aged 13 to 24 are diagnosed with cancer across the UK. In the South West there are over 200 young people diagnosed each year. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to the specialised nursing and emotional support that these young people need.
The charity funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff, bringing young people together so they can be treated by experts in teenage and young adult cancer.
This allows young people to be treated alongside others their own age, in an environment tailored to their needs. An important aspect, unique to Teenage Cancer Trust, is the peer support that surrounds this.
Emily Monk, 25, from Bristol was diagnosed with cancer last year. She said: “They told me I had Hodgkins Lymphoma and I turned to my mum and said ‘what is that?’ I had no clue it was cancer. I was 24 and just didn’t think that could happen to me.
“I was referred to the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre as Teenage Cancer Trust treat people up to the age of 25. It was great to be treated around other people my age, rather than being stuck on a ward with young kids or older people.
“It meant I had people my age to talk to who knew what I was going through and we could help each other. Someone had the same cancer as me and was a stage further on so we talked about what would happen next and it helped me to prepare myself.”
The peer support is not only found amongst the young people treated through the service but also amongst Teenage Cancer Trust’s supporters, with past and present runners of the Bath Half speaking highly of the welcoming atmosphere and team spirit felt when running for the charity’s “Team Legend”.
“This will be my fifth year running the Bath Half and I love this event!” said Katie Crossey, Somerset resident and supporter of Teenage Cancer Trust. “It’s perfect because it gets me training through the winter and it’s such a special day.
“The atmosphere at the Runners Village is great and it’s brilliant meeting up with everyone running for Teenage Cancer Trust in the marquee before and after the race to share our stories – and the joint team photo!
“There’s always plenty of jelly babies and goodies, as well as cheer point stuff for the kids and friends and families. Everyone is made to feel so welcome! It’s the first place we always head for.”
It costs over £600,000 a year to maintain the units, fund specialist staff and support the free cancer awareness sessions that are delivered in schools, colleges and universities across the South West.
Teenage Cancer Trust relies on donations and is funded by local communities and individuals to support its work with young people with cancer.
You can secure your Teenage Cancer Trust Charity Places for £20, and your £200 minimum sponsorship will go towards providing specialist care and support for teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer, throughout their treatment and beyond.
For World Cancer Day on 4th February, the charity will be offering a one-off discount code ‘WCDBATH’ until midnight, which will give you free registration fee.
You can also sign up to volunteer on the day as a photographer, massage therapist or member of the Cheer Team. For more information about this, contact [email protected].
