The latest stage in a group of cyclist’s quest to fund research into advanced breast cancer started on September 28th when 38 riders set off from Munich on a 550km journey with 9,000m of ascent.
Cyclist Christine O’Connell set up the annual One More City fundraising campaign in 2017, a year before she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
This year the riders will cycle from Munich to Venice on the seventh One More City ride. Supported by cycling clothing brand Rapha, O’Connell and her teammates will raise money for research into new treatments at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
As they set off on their journey, a PhD student funded by the campaign will be preparing to start a new research post at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
Christine O’Connell was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2013. Six years ago she created One More City when she and three friends rode from London to Paris in 24 hours to raise money for breast cancer support services.
As she was training for the second fundraiser in 2018, Christine learned that her cancer had returned, and it had spread to her brain and bones. Following surgery and radiotherapy she was given the targeted treatment palbociclib, the clinical trials of which had been led by the ICR in the UK. Christine is now on her 71st cycle of palbociclib and her cancer is largely stable.
So far, the One More City riders have led six rides through five countries, raising more than £250,000, enough to fund two PhD students researching new treatment options for stage 4 breast cancer.
Hwei Minn will start her studentship at the ICR in October. She said “The opportunity to pursue a PhD would not be possible without funding from One More City, and I am extremely grateful for their support.
“Being funded by One More City is a reminder about the purpose of my research and the reason I am training to become a cancer biologist: to improve and extend the lives of those with cancer.”
Sales of a special edition cycling kit in part inspired by the work of scientists at the ICR has made a notable contribution to the studentship, providing almost half of the funds raised.
Aleda Fitzpatrick, Global Manager at Rapha Cycling Club, said “For the past 5 years, Rapha has proudly supported One More City to broaden the awareness of secondary breast cancer and inspire more of our customers to get behind the campaign and support the research fundraising.
“Starting out with a few custom rider jerseys, and culminating in global community rides and two commercial kit collection launches in aid of One More City, our efforts and customer response collections have raised nearly £45,000, providing nearly half of the funding required for a 4 year PhD student.
“It has been amazing to see our global community come together and show their support for such an important campaign.”
www.onemorecity.cc
www.justgiving.com/campaign/onemorecity
www.rapha.cc
