Rosanna's Big Hike

Complete the Big Hike

My Story

On Saturday 13th June, I’ll be taking on a marathon hike through the beautiful Peak District to raise money for Cancer Research UK. More and more of us are feeling the impact of cancer on our families, friends and colleagues, and with around 1 in 2 people in the UK facing a diagnosis in our lifetime, the need for progress has never been clearer. Since I am in my hiker girl era, I thought this challenge is the right fit for me, paired with a charity that genuinely delivers impact in my community. I don’t always know the perfect words to say when someone close is going through something as tough as cancer whether directly or indirectly; this challenge is my way of turning support into action. I know several incredible people who have beaten cancer, and they inspire me to help push research even further. In Northern Ireland specifically, 10,300 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and outcomes still lag behind many similar countries. Cancer Research UK is working to change that, investing around £2 million in Northern Ireland to support world‑leading scientific and clinical research, paired with major public awareness campaigns to help people recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer earlier. The research Cancer Research UK is delivering is genuinely exciting, from Queen’s University Belfast identifying new drug targets for breast cancer, to the University of Cambridge using AI to better understand how cancer develops and to guide personalised treatment plans. It feels like Cancer Research UK is at the centre of making a true impact for families to make lasting memories with their love ones. I would really appreciate any support you can give to get me up those hills and to the finish line. If you would like to also recommend a song to add to my playlist, I would appreciate it, so I can think of you while I am huffing and puffing. Lots of Love, Rosanna