La Terrasa runathon organizers are busy making the final arrangements for the second edition of their La Carrera de Las Ciudades, taking place Sunday 27 October, 2019, that not only raises much needed awareness on and around pancreatic cancer – currently ranking 12th among the most commonly occurring cancers worldwide- but also secures funding for research to accelerate discovery against this tumor type. More specifically, two Carmen Delgado/Miguel Pérez-Mateo Grants amounting to 77.000 EUR each, now in their 5th edition, will fund one clinical and one basic research project, yet to be officially announced, following an official call for proposals earlier on this year.
Proceedings will commence with the ‘mini’ category for a 300m non-competitive run for children under the age of six, followed by a competitive 800m race for 7-12 year olds, and terminating with the third competitive 5km for runners and walkers of all ages. Jointly organized by Pancreatic Cancer Association – Asociación Cáncer de Pancreas, and the Spanish Association of Pancreatology – Asociación Española de Pancreatología (AESPANC), and supported thanks to the generosity of the event sponsors, non-runners can also get involved by selecting to donate through the ‘Fila 0’ option.
Rallying for research at the event will also be Teresa Macarulla, Principal Investigator of VHIO’s Gastrointestinal & Endocrine Tumors Group, headed by our Director, Josep Tabernero, and Helena Verdaguer, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Investigator of the same research team. Commenting for VHIO Communications Teresa observed, “According to recent data*, pancreatic cancer mortality in the EU increased by 5% between 1990 and 2016. This is the highest percentage hike in any of the EU’s top five cancer killers which, as well as pancreatic cancer, include lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer. Only through continued research will we be able to ultimately diagnose this disease earlier as well as drive the discovery that is desperately needed if we are to improve outcomes for our patients.”
“Pancreatic cancer receives less than an estimated 2% of all cancer research funding in Europe, an observation that is seemingly reflected by the slim pickings of meaningful scientific advances against this disease over the last few decades. We therefore salute the devotion of the organizers and supporters of the various Carreras de Las Ciudades that also take place in Madrid, Alicante, Ourense, and Orihuela. These superb runathons represent vital fundraising opportunities that contribute to our dedicated quest to more effectively tackle this notoriously ‘silent’ disease that generally manifests itself at late and advanced stages,” concluded Helena.
To discover more and register to run/walk at this forthcoming Carrera de Las Ciudades, Terrassa (Barcelona) please visit:
http://carreracancerpancreas.es/
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* Pancreatic Cancer Across Europe: Taking a united stand (2018), UEG public affairs.
