Plymouth doctor raises thousands in marathon effort
A Plymouth Consultant is rising to one of the UK’s biggest sporting challenges and is hoping to inspire others to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Dr Priya Suresh, a Consultant Radiologist based at Derriford Hospital will tackle the Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of her father Sunder Raj, who died of cancer.
She is calling on other runners with a confirmed place in this Sunday’s event (April 22) to join her and raise money for Cancer Research UK and will be tackling the 26.2 miles also for her close friends who have been affected by cancer.
She hopes that together they will raise funds for research in the prevention and treatment of the disease. To date she has raised over £3,000 for the charity through cake sales at work, Race for Life events and an Indian breakfast morning.
Dr Suresh, said: “I have been raising money for Cancer Research UK since 2009, shortly after my father died of myeloma. It will be my first marathon and I’ve been told not to worry about the time I take to do it - but just enjoy it.”
She added: “I have a very close friend who fought and won her battle with cancer and at work I have friends who have been affected by the disease. I hope to help my patients find new treatments.
“I am taking part in the Marathon as a thank you for all these miracles. I want to help research and improve the quality of life expectancy for everyone.”
Having already organised 41 of her friends and colleagues, “The Pink Angels” to take part in Race for Life last year, she has now turned her attention to the most famous running event in the world.
“I’d done a half marathon before, but never anything as challenging as this - but knowing the money raised will help beat cancer definitely keeps me going. Thanks to my husband Venk who has inspired me to take up running, my running partner Anjali, my mom Chitra and children Surya and Sneha who have constantly encouraged and supported me during my training. Thanks to my friends and colleagues who have sponsored me. I can’t wait to get to the start line!”
Dr Suresh will join around 40,000 people including Olympic athletes and fun runners taking part in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Last year, Cancer Research UK’s marathon team raised £1.4million to fund vital research.
Running the London Marathon isn’t the only way to support the charity; Cancer Research UK has a wide range of running events for all abilities, including half marathons and 10ks for men and women, as well as the women-only Race for Life 5k,10k, Half Marathon and Pretty Muddy events.
Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the south west, said: “It’s thanks to the support of people like Priya that we are able to research kinder, more effective treatments for cancer.
“Anyone who already has a place in the Virgin Money London Marathon can still join our fantastic team of runners. Or if you are inspired by Priya’s experience, why not try one of our other runs or sporting events.
“Every day, around 90 people in the south west are diagnosed with cancer.* Everyone who pulls on their trainers for Cancer Research UK will know every step they take brings us closer to winning the race against the disease.”
