Trials unit researcher goes “all in” for Cancer Research UK to support life-saving research

A researcher from the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit says she will be going ‘all in’ at Race for Life in Portsmouth this weekend after seeing first-hand how fundraising for Cancer Research UK is saving lives.

Parys Hatchard, who monitors clinical trials run by the unit, will be part of a team of seven friends and family taking part in the Pretty Muddy obstacle course on Southsea Common, to raise money for the charity.

The Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU) is directly funded by Cancer Research UK to carry out its portfolio of world-leading clinical trials, finding new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.

And Parys, from Waterlooville, sees daily how new treatments are helping more people live longer, better lives thanks to the money raised by the charity’s supporters with events like Race for Life.

Parys said: “I love working with my research teams and the nurses and doctors who help us bring the latest treatments from the labs to the patients who need them most, safely. We’re all in it together, just like Race for Life where we all have one goal.

“I know what a difference research can make and have seen my own Nans beat breast cancer and non-hodgkin's lymphoma because of the progress we’re making.”

Parys has worked on several Cancer Research UK funded trials run by the SCTU that aim to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients. The trials cover a range of cancer types including the CRAIN trial for people with cervical cancer, the AURORA trial to help treat a rare type of bladder cancer, the OptiMATe trial for patients with lymphoma of the central nervous system and the REMoDL-A TRIAL for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Parys’ role as a Senior Trial Monitor involves travelling to hospitals which are recruiting patients into our clinical trials, to ensure the trial is being delivered correctly.

“Thanks to people taking part in events like Race for Life, I’m able to introduce new clinical trials to hospitals around the UK, to help guarantee patient safety and ensure the data is all collected correctly so that we can improve the standard of care that cancer patients are offered.”

Parys said: “I often read the notes of patients who previously may not have survived their cancer but then go into remission after being on our trials and it is the most rewarding job. Then to see those treatments receiving approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) shows what can be achieved.

“That’s why myself and my friends and family are going all in against cancer by taking part in Pretty Muddy, so that we can give back and keep the breakthroughs coming.

“My sister Mia, who has worked on the chemo wards is part of the team, inspired by her patients and our Nans. My partner, Amy is joining us as her best friend’s dad passed away from cancer and she sees how much hard work and dedication goes into the research through me and my team – she calls us ‘incredible’.

“Our friend Jodie will be remembering her dad William after he sadly died from lymphoma and Emma will be thinking of her auntie who passed away from pancreatic cancer.

“Meanwhile Kayleigh will be inspired by her aunties, Wendy and Sheila, and her grandad who have all beaten cancer. We’ll also be joined by our friend Ellie who has ovarian cancer herself and has benefitted from some of the treatments Cancer Research UK has played a part in developing.

“She’s faced more hurdles than most so we’ll tackle the Pretty Muddy obstacles for her and for everyone facing cancer.”

To donate, you can head to: Parys' Pretty Muddy fundraising page .

The Portsmouth Race for Life and Pretty Muddy event is taking place this weekend, with more events happening across the south and the entire UK over the summer.

Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Hampshire, said: “It’s time to go all in against cancer, all in to help fund life-saving research.

“Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. Race for Life powers progress and it relies on a whole community of people coming together, united by a common purpose to beat cancer.”