Abi works from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as part of an experienced team who work with patients taking part in blood cancer clinical trials, but in just 63 days time, she will be taking to the streets of Paris as Cure Leukaemia make their debut in the Paris Marathon.
“I’m responsible for coordinating the day to day running of several trials at our hospital – making sure that we carry out each trial according to the study’s protocol – by planning patient visits, organising scans and tests at the right time, giving chemotherapy, and ensuring high quality data collection.”
“But the best part of the job is taking care of our patients – being a primary point of contact for research patients, supporting them and getting to know them over the course of their treatment and follow-up.”
Abi will be taking part in her first ever marathon and will be ticking it off her bucket list in April and joining over 50 Cure Leukaemia runners at the event as she is cheered on by family and friends joining her in the city.
“Running a marathon once in my life is a goal I’ve had for some time. I love Paris, and have heard the route is scenic and reasonably flat compared to any UK marathon route – these all seemed like good reasons to go for it. Plus I am healthy now and reasonably fit, and not getting any younger! So I just decided to go for it. My family are coming out with me and we’re making a holiday of it.”
Abi has been following a strict training plan provided by her brother-in-law to help keep her on track and expand on her foundation base of running.
“I was already able to run 5k+ so didn’t have to start from 0, but the first week that I ran 4x in the same week I felt exhausted and wondered how I would make it until April! But it has gotten easier in the weeks since then.”
“I have recently completed a 15 mile on Saturday reasonably comfortably, and am fitting in the shorter mid-week runs in the mornings before work.”
“There are so many great causes out there, but I am really pleased to be raising money for Cure Leukaemia because I know how important research is for haematology patients. We have seen incredible advances in treatments over the decades, and this is only because of what we learn through clinical research.”
Former England footballer and Patron of Cure Leukaemia, Geoff Thomas MBE, was celebrated last night with the prestigious Special Recognition Award at The Sporting Club Awards.
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