After years of inactivity I am coming out of a self-imposed retirement to return to the world of distance running! The Two Castles Run is a 10km race from Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle taking place on 9th June 2013.

Cancer at Warwick

You may not realise it, but universities conduct a huge amount of cancer research. In fact, many of the larger cancer charities fund research projects at UK universities where the academic expertise and world class laboratories facilitate life changing discoveries. As well as undertaking cancer research, universities also train the next generation of medical researchers.

The University of Warwick is in an ideal position to do this research due to the links between Warwick Medical School and University Hospital Coventry. This means the research has a direct and practical impact on patients being treated.

Your donation will go directly towards cancer research taking place here at Warwick.

Projects include:

- Research into the issues that affect cancer sufferers every day, such as preventing hair loss

- Targeting the cell changes that cause cancer

- Colon cancer detection

- Breast cancer research

- Ovarian cancer research

My story

When I was 14 my Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She battled the disease for seven years, but ultimately lost her fight in 2004, at the age of 50. I was 21 years old when she died.

The saddest part of my story is that it is not unique. It happens to countless families every year.

We can, in small ways, help prevent the pain felt by sufferers and their loved ones. By continuing to raise awareness, and vital funding, we are edging closer to finding the solutions we need to win the fight against cancer.

Your donation will help to save lives, provide comfort for those in pain and give families the chance to be just that - for a little longer at least.

It's within our power to improve the quality of life for those who suffer, and we can help others (and ourselves!) live longer, happier and healthier lives. We will find a cure - but together we can find it that little bit quicker.

I'm running 10km - but the pain that will cause me, although excruciating(!), will be momentary. The pain cancer causes to families like mine lasts for a lifetime. Please, if you can, make a donation to support vital cancer research at Warwick today.

On campus and race day

If you see and of the Cancer at Warwick team running around campus, please give us your support!

We'd love to see as many of you as we can on the race course to cheer us on.

Want to raise money for Warwick?

If you've signed up for the Two Castles Run but aren't running for a charity and like to join our team - please create a page here.

If you're interested in raising money for other projects at the University of Warwick please feel free to email me on luke.taylor@warwick.ac.uk

The University of Warwick is a Charity!

We are an exempt charity (HMRC Reference No. XR 67171). This means we do not have to be registered as we are considered to be adequately supervised by, or accountable to, another authority.

This means we can claim Gift Aid on donations, so if you're a UK Tax Payer and eligible, don't forget to tick the box!