Runners who took part in Run for the Future have already raised £20,000 this year to fund vital prostate cancer research with more sponsorship still to come in.

It means the event has already raised £210,000 since 2006 for research at the Bristol Urological Institute at Southmead Hospital.

And runners from this year’s event are being urged to get their sponsorship in to boost the total even more. Run for the Future is organised by Rotary in Bristol to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Appeal at the BUI.

Research projects funded by Run for the Future include:
• A three year project to look at genetic markers of prostate cancers that can identify which cancers are more aggressive. This could enable clinicians to make better informed decisions about how they treat a patient’s prostate cancer. The money funded two researcher posts in association with the University of the West of England and will continue for another 3 years.
• A project to develop a urine test to diagnose prostate cancer. It is hoped this test could be a more decisive and effective test than the current PSA blood test.
• Funding a research nurse who will soon begin a project to look at how prostate cancer affects men and their families and whether improving their lifestyle, exercise and general vitality can help fight the disease.

This year’s Run for the Future had over 650 registrants for the 5k event on Durdham Downs, Bristol, on September 18.

More than 60 free PSA tests for prostate cancer were also carried out at the event, by the event sponsors, Spire Bristol Hospital.

Martina Peattie, race organiser, said: “We were thrilled to see so many people take part this year.  It has been a tough year for charity events, but Run for the Future continues to attract keen followers, many of whom have personal reasons for supporting Bristol’s most popular charity fundraising run for prostate cancer.

“It is a testament to all those runners and people who have donated that some exciting and important research is ongoing at the BUI.
“When we began Run for the Future our aim was to raise awareness of prostate cancer and we have certainly come a long way in increasing men’s understanding of the importance of a PSA test for the disease.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all of those who took part, supported or donated this year.”

See pictures from the event at: www.runforthefuture.org/event