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British 10K London Run 2006
Pancreatic Cancer UK Team
Trace, Arj and Joy completed the British 10K London run in just under one hour in sweltering heat. It had taken them half an hour to cross the start line! Here they are in the finishing straight on Whitehall under the Cenotaph next to the Pancreatic Cancer UK banner and then Trace and Arj sporting their medals in the Mall after the finish. It is gratifying at these events when passers-by or fellow runners stop to say " I am glad you are doing something for pancreatic cancer" or to ask to find out more about it as there is a family history etc.
Trace, of Welwyn in Hertfordshire and a former 'age group' triathlete, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2004 after suddenly turning yellow with jaundice. After an initial operation he was told the tumour - which was too large and had become wrapped around the main portal vein - was inoperable.
Mr Shankar and Trace's oncologist, John Bridgewater, treated Trace with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and remarkably the tumour began to gradually reduce. Very few patients respond as well as Trace to these courses of treatment and it is unusual for patients to become operable following treatment. However Mr Shankar was able to operate on Trace again in May 2005 to remove the tumour.
Trace said 'It worked and I feel I have been given a second chance.'
Trace said Mr Shankar had been impressed with his fitness which had allowed him to respond so well to treatment.
'We talked a lot about running and fitness,' Trace said. 'Mr Shankar had run a little before but I increased his enthusiasm for it - I think I inspired him. He challenged me to a race when I got better and I am eager to take him on.'
Trace Allen has been given a second chance to race his surgeon Arjun Shankar.
Originally the pair were due to run in the Reading Half Marathon on 9th April but Trace developed jaundice again due to stricture from the treatment and had to have an external drain of his bile duct. However Mr Shankar was able to operate to reopen the bile duct and eventually Trace was able to get back to training again. Trace's wife Joy raced with Mr Shankar in the Reading Half Marathon along with Trace and Joy's son Markus and will be joining Trace and Mr Shankar in the British 10K London run.
Trace has already booked his place in the Great North Run.
Trace's wife Joy is also running. The photo shows Trace and Joy (right) with daughter and son-in-law Tanja (an international GB triathlete) and Pete Slater at the Athens Olympics (as spectators!).
Trace contacted fellow patient Les Niewiara (who was able to run Reading Half Marathon) through Pancreatic Cancer UK and they have been able to share experiences.
Trace has said "My surgeon, Mr Arj Shankar (Middlesex) said it would be a good idea to try to give encouragement to 'older' people who have the misfortune to
contract this disease. I am keen to help raise awareness.... Well, before this temporary hiatus, a year out almost, I was going strong as an International GB Triathlete so I'm aiming to get back in the team. Mr Shankar has said he'll come to Lausanne to watch if I do it. I told him he'd better book his trip!
And just over one year ago I was about to run my 21st GNRun... He's already challenged me to a race over 10 miles...He thinks that there is a need to provide greater encouragement and motivation for those who are unfortunate enough to get the disease. He's probably right. As I've been pretty lucky I thought I could help provide this encouragement in some way."
Trace accompanied Sue Ballard and John Lancaster (trustees of Pancreatic Cancer UK) to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer "Britain Against Cancer" meeting in November 2005 and was able to speak at the end of Sue's presentation on "Pancreatic Cancer - an end to nihilism".
Trace and Joy live in Hertfordshire Arj is a Consultant Surgeon and Clinical Director of Surgery at University College Hospital (formerly Middlesex). He also works at the London Clinic. He trained at University College and the Hammersmith Hospitals.
Mr Shankar is the nephew of Ravi Shankar, the renowned master of the Indian sitar, and cousin of pianist and singer-songwriter Norah Jones.
Arj lives in London |
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| Last updated 10th July 2006
page created 29th June 2006 |
Trace and consultant surgeon Arjun Shankar, who treated him at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will go head-to-head in the British 10K London Run on Sunday 2nd July to raise the profile of pancreatic cancer and the work of Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Trace Allen is 62 years old and a veteran GB triathlete. He was diagnosed with inoperable pancreas cancer in October 2004 after suddenly getting jaundice. He had gem-cap chemotherapy followed by gemcitabine and radiotherapy and was then able to have surgery in May 2005. This was followed by more gem-cap chemotherapy which finished in October 2005 see