Pancreatic cancer in the spotlight

On Sunday, 27th April, we finally took the spotlight on an international stage as the 2025 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year. Over 600 runners, and an additional 100 who took part through the MyWay event, took on the ultimate test to develop the ultimate test for early detection of pancreatic cancer.

Thanks to their training and fundraising for this devastating disease, we’ve already surpassed our £2 million goal, a total that is still rising.

We cannot thank them enough.

We were also joined by over 1,000 volunteers who dedicated their Sunday to being the best cheerleaders for our runners. They gave all our nine cheer points an electric atmosphere to help our runners all the way to the finish line. Volunteers also welcomed runners and their friends and family to our post-race reception, giving them a heroes’ welcome as they walked through the doors. We also had some expert volunteer photographers capturing key moments throughout the day.

A special thank you to our corporate volunteers at Flutter and BCLP, as well as our valued stakeholders and suppliers Enthuse and BlueStep.

In the news

While most of us were soaking up the atmosphere on the ground, many of you would’ve been watching the BBC coverage.

On Sunday morning, BBC presenter Gabby Logan interviewed two of our runners just before they set off – Dr Nayaab Kader, a researcher working on an early-detection test for pancreatic cancer, alongside Bryony Thomas, a pancreatic cancer survivor. Together, they explained the devastating reality of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, with Bryony sharing her personal experience of being told she had the disease, before sharing their excitement for the future and explaining how the work of our researchers stands to save thousands of lives through the development of a simple, early-detection test.

We also heard the story of Jo Curtis. Jo lost her husband, Stewart to pancreatic cancer when he was just 45 and she became the sole parent for her two young girls, Evie and Ella. After they shared her story, she was interviewed at mile six by Blue Peter presenter, Abby Cook about how she was getting on and her marathon day experience.

Finally, our Chief Executive, Diana Jupp was interviewed by Gabby Logan. They discussed the main symptoms of pancreatic cancer, why survival rates haven’t improved in over 50 years, and how an early detection test could change the future for people with pancreatic cancer.

A new world record

Long-term supporter Graham Sturge together with nine friends took to the start line as a test tube rack inspired by our goal to fund an ultimate test for early detection of pancreatic cancer.

In 2016, Graham’s dad John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At midnight on 22nd April 2017, Graham Sturge’s father passed away from pancreatic cancer. 10 hours later, he ran the London Marathon for us, numb with the loss. Since then, Graham has run many marathons fundraising for us.

After learning we were TCS London Marathon’s Charity of the Year, Graham wanted to run for us once again and break a world record! The team aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run by a 10-person costume, which was 6 hours, 32 minutes, and 5 seconds.

After a long day running in sync as test tubes, Graham’s team set the new record for the fastest marathon in a 10-person costume at 5 hours, 41 minutes, and 47 seconds!