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Tomorrow's World

"One day we will beat cancer. The more research we do, the sooner that day will come."

My Dad died in 2012, just the day before Bradley Wiggins rode to victory in the Tour de France and a week before London 2012 began. He would definitely have enjoyed Bradley Wiggins' victory ride up the Champs-Élysées - in my head I still hear Wiggins' name pronounced in a French accent as it was in the news reports my mum, my sister and I would hear in the taxi taking us up to the hospital each day. There were loads of things about London 2012 that my Dad would have hated... drug cheats being allowed to compete, politicians jumping on the bandwagon of success, empty seats being saved for the corporate sponsors. But loads of things he would have loved too, especially the "leftie overtones" of Danny Boyle's opening ceremony. I'm not sure what he'd of thought of archery taking over the home of cricket, especially people dancing along to YMCA in the Long Room. I just don't know. I never got to show him the photos or tell him all about it. Cancer took him away too soon.

My Dad was a cricket fanatic. He loved watching the game but he probably loved reading about the history of the game even more. He had a collection of Wisden Cricket Almanacs going back over 50 years, that magically survived a flood that destroyed every one of my Mum's cook books. I used to buy him the new one every year. The 2014 issue came out on Wednesday with a fanfare, as Charlotte Edwards was named as one of the Cricketers of the Year. I won't get to talk to my Dad about it though. Cancer took him away too soon. 

I'm not sure either what my Dad would have made of me running 26.2 miles round the streets of London next Sunday, a city he knew well as a teenager. I know he was impressed with my first half marathon back in 2012. I wish I could have shown him my trophies from the NSRRA last season - he was always telling me about his youthful running successes and how fast he could run 1500m when he was 18 (faster than me). I got to run at the Olympic stadium a year after my Dad died, with my mum watching on and supporting me. I was really glad she was there with me but I would have loved to share the experience with my Dad too. Cancer took him away too soon.

Research kills cancer. Cancer Research UK fund research into over 200 different cancers and enormous progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease. Every pound donated to the charity helps in the process. The recent #nomakeupselfie phenomonen raised an extra £8million pounds, which in turn secured funding for 10 new clinical trials. That's amazing. 

When I hit the Mall next Sunday, pushing myself to the limit to achieve my goals, I'll remember my Dad and imagine how proud he would have been. And I'll be inspired by all those who have supported me in my various running challenges and card making endeavours over the last few years. Every penny you've donated to me has gone to help Cancer Research UK fund more research and make more progress in the fight against cancer. Research kills cancer, that's my hope for tomorrow's world. 

Thank you for all you've done to help.

Happy Running

Liz T.






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