Caroline's Blog

This week we've been busy asking everyone to help us by getting behind the inspirational efforts of a very special 11 year old boy, Dylan Broadbent, or Dylz as many have come to know him.

After being inspired by his uncle Adam who is being treated here at The Christie, Dylan entered the Rap for a Cause competition on findaproperty.com.  Now, people are voting in their thousands to help Wakefield-based Dylz's rap reach first place and secure The Christie charity £10,000.

I was so touched when I saw this campaign to help Dylan win.  Despite cancer bringing so much hardship, it also inspires people to overcome their loss, pain and challenges by doing incredible things.

I'd like to thank Dylan, Adam and their family for showing our charity such fabulous support.    If everyone who visited this blog took a minute to 'like' this rap, we could stand a really good chance of winning.

We'd be grateful of your help.   Thank you. 

•  All it takes is just one click to LIKE the rap:

#helpDylzwin

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Our fundraisers support our charity for many personal reasons.  For some it's to thank the experts who cared for them, for others it's in memory of a loved one.  Whatever the reason, for everyone it's truly special.

A few weeks ago, I stood alongside thousands of runners feeling anxious on the start line of the Manchester Marathon.  We were all there for our own reasons, but in everyone's eyes was a real sense of determination overriding the daunting 26 miles that lay ahead.

As I ran, I felt proud; proud to be surrounded by people pushing themselves far out of their comfort zone to reach the finish line.  It's amazing what a determined mind can force your body to do when running.  I felt a real sense of public spirit.  Everyone is from such different walks of life and ages, yet are bonded over the pain, excitement and exhaustion that is a marathon.

We had hundreds of runners out there in that awful rain running for The Christie charity.  What compelled them and so many others to continue running is deep rooted in all of us, but we also have each other to thank for that.  Pats on the back, smiles and cheers from the crowd can work wonders in helping you keep up your pace.  

At this week's Great Manchester Run, we have so many wonderful patients, supporters and celebrities taking part.  There will no doubt be many inspiring stories coming out on the day and I'm look forwarding to sharing these with our Christie supporters.  One I know of so far and particularly love is that six grandsons are running together in memory for their grandfather who was treated here and who himself was an avid fundraiser of The Christie.  This echoes the exact spirit of our fundraisers and sporting events like this. 

Public spirit is a powerful force, and I cannot wait to be part of it and soak up the amazing atmosphere once again.  Good luck to all our runners!

There will be live coverage of Sunday's Bupa Great Manchester Run on the BBC.  Please have a look and try and spot the blue Christie running vests.  If tweeting, please use the hashtag #GMRforTheChristie

• Find out what other events are coming up

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I was left feeling a huge sense of pride last week during our inaugural Christie Research and Education Awards ceremony.

We organised this with one purpose - to recognise the talent in both our research division and School of Oncology.  As well as applauding our talent and achievements, the evening also highlighted our plans for the future that will build on our existing offering.

Our School of Oncology is going from strength to strength, and we're now looking to build on that by launching an appeal to expand this unique facility.  With the support of our charity, we're hoping to raise one million pounds to increase our capacity to host more meetings, study days and conferences - allowing us to highlight and share the groundbreaking research happening right now on our doorstep.  Alongside this on the forefront of research will be the Manchester Cancer Research Centre which will have a major influence on cancer research globally.

Our research and educational efforts have a direct impact on the treatment and care of not only our patients, but many across the UK and the world.  The skills and expertise we are honing at The Christie will spread across several other institutions via many talented professionals.  Playing that kind of role in healthcare is remarkable.

Having said all that, we could not deliver any of this without our partners, who work closely with us to shape the future healthcare professionals and develop treatments.  Education is so vital in shaping our future.  As a region, we need education experts to work together to deliver what medical and non-medical students need.

To those not in the know, we are simply a hospital, but to our supporters, staff and many more who understand the essence of The Christie, we are an organisation committed to delivering treatment, research and education.  These elements are crucial in reaching our vision of becoming a world leading cancer centre.

• To read more about our School of Oncology, please visit here:
• To find our more about Manchester Cancer Research Centre, please visit here:
• Please see a full list of winners here:

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