A woman from north Manchester will mark turning 40 by taking part in the Great Manchester Run next Sunday 26^th May to raise money for The Christie.

Christina Baybut from Moston wants to thank the cancer centre for saving her life six years ago when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Christina, who works in payroll for Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said; "I owe everything to the staff at The Christie.  Six years on I'm here and living my life to the full - this just wouldn't have been possible without the care and expertise I received from day one.

"It was a massive shock to be told I had cancer when I was then just 34 - you just think it's never going to happen to you.  I'd had no symptoms but found out by chance after a chest x-ray.  If it hadn't been for that, the cancer would probably have progressed a lot further by the time I found out."

Christina took part in a trial at The Christie which involved three months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"It was like life stopped for a year.  I heard people talking about their plans for weekends and holidays but I was just in this bubble where I couldn't think beyond what I was going through.  I was quite poorly but I knew it's what I had to go through to beat it.  All along I felt safe though and I trusted the people looking after me completely.

"My mum, uncle and friends were my rocks too - they were amazingly supportive and I couldn't have got through it without them."

30,000 people take part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run each year with many of them running for The Christie.  Over the last three years, supporters taking part in aid of the cancer centre have raised over £1,500,000 which has made a very real difference to cancer patients and their families.

Christina added; "May is a big month for me because I also turn 40.  Milestone birthdays are even more poignant when you've been through something like this so I'm going to enjoy every minute.

"I know first-hand how important fundraising is and how much of a difference it makes.  If anyone can support me and help me raise money for this wonderful place, please visit www.justgiving.com/ChristinaBaybut.

Sporting events development manager at The Christie Charity, Emma Tilley, said; "What better way to mark your 40^th birthday than by taking part in an event like this.  We'll give Christina an extra special cheer on the day.

"We're immensely grateful for her support - every penny raised on the day goes right back to our patients."

A mum from Prestwich will be pounding the streets in this year's Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26^th May, six months after finishing treatment for cancer.

Janet Richards, 51, who is a former civil servant, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2012. Married to husband Lee for 21 years, the couple have two teenage boys.

She said; "My mum had ovarian cancer so I was aware of some of the symptoms.  When I started to experience some discomfort I decided to get checked out.  Even though I had a feeling something wasn't right, the news still came as a blow.

"After that I underwent major surgery and five gruelling months of chemotherapy.  I even spent our 20^th wedding anniversary having treatment - so that wasn't really what I had planned!

"But it was worth it because by November last year I was told I was in remission and now just have check-ups every three months. I was operated on by a fantastic surgeon, and cared for by wonderful the staff at The Christie who were amazing.  Helped along with brilliant support from my family and friends, I believe I had the very best of care. Without their help my health would be very different today."

Janet will be running the 10km run in aid of The Christie and has set up a fundraising page so that people can support her - www.justgiving.com/Janet-Richards2.  She will be joined on the day by her husband.

She added; "Lee and I are doing this run to raise funds and as a thank you to The Christie.  10km might not be a massive distance but six months on from chemotherapy and because I've not run for some time, it will be a big enough challenge!  I'd massively appreciate any sponsorship small or large.

"Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because its symptoms are so vague. I just want to urge any woman experiencing  symptoms such as discomfort, pain, bloating, feeling full quickly and needing to go to the loo more often to seek advice from their GP, the sooner it is caught the better the outcome.

"I feel so fortunate to live in the Manchester area so I could benefit from the treatment and care The Christie offers.  What's happened to me has been a life-changing event.  I've left my job and I'm putting my health first.  It's definitely made me realise what's important and how precious life is.  I can't thank The Christie enough for saving my life."

30,000 people take part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run each year with many of them running for The Christie.  Over the last three years, supporters taking part in aid of the cancer centre have raised over £1,500,000 which has made a very real difference to cancer patients and their families.

The 10km event takes runners through the streets of Manchester.  It is one of the largest and most prestigious mass participation runs in the UK.

Sporting events development manager at The Christie Charity, Emma Tilley, said; "Janet's story just shows how more and more people are beating cancer and getting back to a normal life.  We're absolutely thrilled that our doctors and nurses have been able to help her.

"Money raised from events like the Great Manchester Run helps us help our patients even more. From the latest high-tech equipment to important research - people fundraising for us makes all this possible.

"Good luck for the race Janet."

The Peritoneal Tumour Services (PTS) team at The Christie, a specialist cancer centre in Manchester, has been awarded 'Cancer Care Team of the year' by the British Medical Journal Group (BMJ) for its specialist treatment for patients with metastatic bowel cancer.

Metastatic bowel cancer is cancer that has spread from the bowel where it first started to another place in the body. Some of these patients have cancer that has spread throughout the abdominal and pelvic cavities (peritoneal spread). Traditionally patients with this type of cancer are treated with palliative chemotherapy but with poor survival rates, even with the newest agents, patients are unlikely to survive more than 18 months.

The PTS team at The Christie have adopted a more aggressive approach in selected patients by using a new type of surgery called cytoreduction where the tumour is removed following which heated chemotherapy  is placed directly into the patient's abdomen (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy / HIPEC ). In selected patients  CS and HIPEC can offer a significant improvement in survival. The Christie team have shown that this can be achieved with lower rates of complications and risk of mortality.

Commenting on the award, Mr Malcolm Wilson, Consultant Surgeon and Director of Surgery at The Christie said, "We are delighted that our work in treating patientswith this form of metastatic bowel cancerhas been recognised and that awareness will be raised about the positive outcomes it has for our patients. As one of only two hospitals in the UK providing this service, this recognition is a testament to the hard work of the staff of the Christie and shows that we are leading the way in the development of this potentially curative treatment.

"This has set a benchmark for the UK and the team is now in a position to develop a national service and train additional units to allow patients more equal access to treatment over the next 3 years."

Miss Sarah O'Dwyer, Lead Clinician of the PTS at The Christie added "At The Christie, we have been lucky to have the support of local commissioners to enable us to offer this specialist treatment in the North West. Previously patients with this type of cancer would be offered no chance of cure but this specialist treatment now offers our patients hope. This award is proof that joint efforts between commissioning groups and NHS Trusts can achieve ground breaking outcomes for patients."

Notes to editor: 

• Our Peritoneal Tumour Service is now firmly established as one of only two specialist centres based in the UK.
• The number of referrals for the year, at 122 patients, has continued to increase
• The Christie offers highly specialised surgery for the most complex and rare cancers with patients coming from across the country to receive treatment.    It has four main surgical groups - urological, gynaecological, colorectal and peritoneal.  In many cases, surgery is provided for some cancers that are considered inoperable at other centres.
• Has five theatres.  More patients than ever before are able to be treated with the use of robotic and key hole surgical techniques.
• The Christie uses cutting edge technology, which is some of the most advanced in Europe,
• Over 4,000 highly specialised operations a year are carried out at The Christie.
• pseudomyxoma peritonei - a cancer that affects just one in a million people.  The Christie is just one of two hospitals in the country treating this rare and complex cancer.
• With a strong 100 year history, the facilities and staff at The Christie place it in a unique position to be able to carry out both integrated cancer care and a multidisciplinary approach to surgery. This allows for the most efficient and effective care, and leads to improved outcomes for patients.
• The figures in recent years speak for themselves - there has been a progressive reduction in mortality rates, surgical complication rates are low compared with the national benchmark, and survival rates match or are better than internationally published benchmarks.
• Patients themselves consistently rate the treatment and service they receive at The Christie.  Time and time again, the organisation features in the top 20% of all Trusts in the country across all domains of the National Patient survey - especially relating to operations and procedures.  For this, The Christie is the top rated Trust nationally in several areas.
• The Christie is also a leader in education and its unrivalled expertise in the surgical field is used to educate and train professionals across the world
• When the PTS service first started, only a third of all patients referred underwent major surgery. In the past 5 to 6 years, this has been steadily higher at approximately 45% to 50%.

BBC presenters Bill Turnbull and Annabel Tiffin are hosting a spectacular and stylish 'Ladies Lunch' to raise money for cancer patients at The Christie, the specialist cancer centre in Manchester.

Set in the Cheshire countryside with views over the Mere Lake, the lavish event takes place on Thursday 23^rd May at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Knutsford from 12.30pm. It also includes special guest appearances from Channel 4's 'Ten Years Younger' host and stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones, classical chart toppers Blake, and an outstanding musical performance from 'The Girl with the Golden Harp', Royal harpist Claire Jones.

BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull said; "It is my pleasure to host this event for The Christie charity which is raising money to help cancer patients.

"Everyone who attends can be assured of a wonderful afternoon and Annabel and I will be delighted to play our part by interviewing the special guests."

BBC North West Tonight anchor Annabel Tiffin added; "I'm so proud to be co-hosting this Ladies Lunch with Bill.

"Having worked in the North West for a number of years, I'm well aware of the fantastic work The Christie does for cancer patients in our region."

The Christie charity's Ladies Lunch is part of The Christie's unique partnership with BBC Radio Manchester and every penny raised will go towards supporting a mobile chemotherapy unit, which will bring Christie care closer to patients' homes.

Attendees will be treated to an afternoon of luxury kicking off with a delicious three-course lunch, indulgent treats and fabulous entertainment. There will be demonstrations of reflexology and aromatherapy and the opportunity of massages as well as image, hair and make-up consultations.

Chief Executive at The Christie, Caroline Shaw, said; "Huge thanks to Bill and Annabel and all our special guests for supporting this occasion. This Ladies Lunch will give our guests the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous lunch and be pampered for the day.

"Making our cancer patients feel extra special is part of what we do here every day at The Christie and money raised for our charity means that we can go the extra mile in looking after them at a time they need it most.

"I hope as many of you as possible will join us at this spectacular event in aid of our new mobile chemotherapy unit, which will bring first class Christie care closer to patients' homes."

Along with a few extra-special surprises on the day, there will also be a raffle and money-can't-buy prizes up for grabs in the auction.

Tables of ten are available, along with individual tickets. For more information or to buy tickets phone 0161 446 3988, email specialevents@christies.org or click here.

A nurse at The Christie is in training to take on this year's Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26^th May to help patients at the specialist cancer centre where she works.

Katie Garner, 25, from Fallowfield, Manchester, is doing the 10km run to raise money for The Christie charity's unique partnership with BBC Radio Manchester. Every penny raised will go towards supporting a mobile chemotherapy unit, which will bring Christie care closer to patients' homes.

Katie, who began working as a staff nurse in The Christie's chemotherapy unit in January 2012, said; "I signed up to the run because it's for such a good cause and on a personal level because I wanted to get fit for my wedding this August.

"I also wanted to raise money towards our new mobile chemotherapy unit as it's important that, where we can, we treat patients closer to their homes. So doing the run to raise money was helping our patients and helping me."

The dedicated nurse, who is marrying her fiancé Edward Waller this summer, has so far managed 8km runs so is confident of completing the 10km distance later this month.

One of the country's most popular 10km running events, the Bupa Great Manchester Run, has seen over a quarter of a million enthusiastic runners pound the streets of Manchester since its first staging in 2003.

Emma Tilley, sporting events development manager at The Christie charity said; "Over the last three years our supporters taking part in the Great Manchester Run have raised over £1,500,000. This has made a very real difference to cancer patients and their families here at The Christie.

"Katie is raising money for our partnership with BBC Radio Manchester which will see The Christie treat patients with chemotherapy from a state of the art mobile unit in towns across Greater Manchester."

Katie added; "It's a charity close to my heart for obvious reasons. Working at The Christie every day I get to see first hand how money raised for the charity helps our cancer patients.

"I love being a nurse. When I get home after every shift if I think I've helped make one patient's day better or brighter for them and their families, well I've done my job."

The kind hearted couple are also making a donation to The Christie charity instead of having favours for their wedding guests.

The Christie charity was chosen as BBC Radio Manchester's first ever 'charity of the year' for 2013. Listeners are raising money throughout 2013 for The Christie's new mobile chemotherapy unit, which is expected to be up and running later this year.

To sponsor Katie please visit www.justgiving.com/Katie-Garner1

The incoming President of the Insurance Institute of Manchester has launched an exciting new campaign to raise £150,000 to help teenage cancer patients at The Christie.

Barry Thompson launched 'Barry's Project 150' at the group's AGM this week where he was officially made President. The project is aiming to raise £150,000 towards a specialist room in The Christie's new development for teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Barry, an ambassador of the teenage cancer unit at The Christie, first began fundraising for The Christie when his wife, Chris was treated at the specialist cancer centre in Manchester.

Chris, a former primary school teacher, was 59 when she was diagnosed with two separate forms of cancer in a year. The first was kidney cancer - the kidney was removed and she was given radiotherapy at The Christie. Just 10 months later Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer which was picked up on a routine mammogram. She then underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy at The Christie.

Barry, who lives in Stockport with Chris and their two sons Vincent and Alex, said; "The diagnosis came like a bolt from the blue but thankfully Chris is in full remission now.

"We immediately turned our focus to fundraising for The Christie to say thank you for the wonderful care Chris received. We are incredibly lucky to have two healthy children so we wanted to raise money specifically for the teenage cancer unit at The Christie."

Their various fundraising efforts have included taking part in the International Running Challenge in Lanzarote and the New York half marathon. Barry also organised the successful fashion show 'Style in the City' which is taking place for a third year running in July 2013.

A keen runner and member of Stockport Harriers, Barry is also planning a 24-hour running extravaganza in 2014.

He added; "In my presidential year for the Insurance Institute of Manchester I thought this would be a great opportunity to leave a legacy and share my enthusiasm for The Christie with others.

"The AGM was my way of encouraging other insurance businesses to get involved. I'll be proud to know I've helped contribute to one room in this new development for young people, so they can be treated in the best place at a time they need it most."

The launch event was attended by Emmerdale actor Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob Hope and former Manchester City footballer and Christie fundraiser Dennis Tueart.

Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive of The Christie, who attended the event where Barry's Project 150 was launched, said; "Barry and Chris are truly passionate about raising money for The Christie and we can't thank them enough.

"We are building a new state of the art unit to improve facilities for teenagers and young adults with cancer as well as our haematology patients.

"It will not only improve the patient experience but will also increase the number of specialist rooms available for patients undergoing transplants and other treatments."

The new unit will be a centre for teenagers and young adults with cancer across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

It will contain outpatient facilities on the ground floor, 31 specialist inpatient rooms on the first floor and facilities for young people including a gym, music room and relaxation area on the second floor, as well as rehabilitation and support services.

The Christie has again received excellent results in the annual inpatient survey, published today (Tuesday 16^th April 2013) by the Care Quality Commission, sustaining and building on last year's successes.

The Christie achieved the top score nationally for 13 questions. These included patients being treated with dignity and respect, the cleanliness of the rooms and wards at The Christie and explanations about how the patients' operation or procedure had gone. The organisation also scored very highly in questions relating to communication between doctors and patients and nurses and patients.

Patients were asked to rate their overall experience and The Christie scored an impressive 8.9 out of 10. The Christie scored better than most other trusts for a total of 48 questions out of a possible 58. For the remaining 10 questions, The Christie scored the same.

The survey sought the views of patients who had stayed overnight at the specialist cancer centre in Manchester during June, July and August 2012. Patients were asked questions about procedures and the treatment and care they received.

Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive at The Christie, said; "Receiving such positive and direct feedback from our patients is incredibly valuable to us and these results show that we continue to go from strength to strength at The Christie.

"This reaffirms our commitment to ensuring we provide the highest quality care for our cancer patients at a time they need it most.

"Thank you to all our staff who work tremendously hard every day to give first class treatment. We remain dedicated to delivering further improvements for all our patients. "

Now in its 10th year, the national survey of adult inpatients involved 156 hospitals across the country. The Christie had a response rate of 68% compared with the national response rate of 51%.

Music in Hospitals Northwest, Manchester-based The Christie charity and Didsbury's Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) are partnering-up for a foot-tapping, popular classics, fundraising concert on Saturday 20 April, 2.30pm at Emmanuel Church, Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury Village.  Star of the show is Vivaldi's perennial good-mood-enhancer, The Four Seasons, while other melodic moments come from Grainger's lively Molly on the Shore, Tchaikovsky's
beautiful Waltz, Piazzolla's Verano Porteno - pulsating with infectious, Latin American rhythms, and Mozart's divine Divertimento. 

Proceeds from ticket sales from the Vivaldi Four Seasons & Other Favourites concert will contribute to the valuable work of The Christie charity and Music in Hospitals Northwest.  The concert provides a great example of charities from the Health and Arts sectors working together and pooling resources during challenging times.  The NCO is recognised as one of the country's finest chamber orchestras and is based at the Didsbury MMU campus.  The Orchestra has a strong affinity with the Northwest and is delighted to have been engaged for this special fundraising concert, which will give South Manchester locals the opportunity to hear the NCO in full-swing in a thoroughly entertaining and accessible programme of all-time, popular classical pieces.  

The Christie charity raises money to fund projects at The Christie, the specialist
cancer centre based in Manchester, which are outside the scope of the NHS. 
Proceeds from the Vivaldi Four Seasons concert will specifically support
The Christie's new mobile chemotherapy unit.

Ste Anderson, community development manager at The Christie charity, said: "Huge thanks to the Northern Chamber Orchestra for supporting our work to help cancer patients.

"Our new mobile chemotherapy unit, which is set to be up and running by Autumn 2013, will benefit patients across Greater Manchester by bringing Christie treatment and care closer to patients' homes."

A cancer survivor from Oldham is getting set to complete the London Marathon to raise money for breast cancer research at The Christie, in memory of her step-mother.

Tansy Wilson, 36, a home furnishings designer was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in September 2011. Following two operations to remove the thyroid gland, she received radioactive iodine treatment, a type of internal radiotherapy, at the specialist cancer centre in Manchester.

She said; "I'd found a lump in my neck but it was such a shock to be diagnosed. I was lucky though and it was treated very quickly. This made me think I wanted to help others in my situation."

As soon as she felt well enough, Tansy began running to keep fit. She completed three 10km runs last year and then decided to set herself the challenge of running the London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.

Tansy, who is married to Paul with a 12-year-old son Harrison, added; "I've already completed two half marathons this year so I feel ready to tackle the 26 mile route."

Tansy also lost her step-mother Margaret Hughes to cancer in 2010 and her father has set up a tribute fund in Margaret's name to raise £15,000 for a leaf on The Christie charity's Tree of Hope.

She said; "I am on a continual running fundraising mission for The Christie. As a former Christie patient and supporter I am aiming to raise as much money as I can for this amazing charity.

"When I had my 'all-clear' in December 2012, it felt so good and I am praying that all my future visits to The Christie are on a positive fundraising note.

"Margaret was an amazing inspirational person who fought cancer to the bitter end. Her tribute fund currently stands at £5,088 so there is a long way to go but I'm determined to reach this target and people have been so generous.

"All money raised for this fund will go towards vital breast cancer research, which is what Margaret wanted."

Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and later developed bone cancer. She lived in Pott Shrigley, near Macclesfield, with Tansy's dad Peter Boulton.

Tansy said; "There are so many different types of cancer and being at The Christie and seeing people at different stages of the disease made me think I wanted to do something to help.

"There cannot be enough research done into the disease. The progress which is made through science means more and more people are surviving and getting better after having cancer."

Rachel Steele, sporting events officer at The Christie charity, said; "Best of luck to Tansy for the marathon - she is such an inspiration and we'll be routing for her every step of those 26 miles.

"If you have a place for the London Marathon and want to raise money for The Christie charity please contact the sporting events team on 0161 446 3614."

Notes to editor: 

Radioactive iodine is a targeted treatment which doesn't affect other body cells. The iodine circulates throughout the bloodstream and Thyroid cancer cells pick up the iodine wherever they are in the body. The radiation in the iodine then kills the cancer cells.

Specialist cancer centre The Christie is building a new state of the art unit to improve facilities for haematology patients as well as teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Manchester City legend Dennis Tueart was among a host of fundraisers invited to have a sneak preview to mark building progress. The Christie charity is fundraising £12million towards this project and other key supporters in attendance included representatives from Manchester United, JD Sports and Wilkinson's.

The new centre will contain outpatient facilities on the ground floor, 31 specialist inpatient rooms on the first floor and facilities for young people including a gym, music room and relaxation area on the second floor.

The three story building, facing Palatine Road, will be attached to the existing haematology and transplant unit (HTU). Two upper floors will extend above the existing unit which will remain operational whilst building work, which started in January 2013, is carried out. The unit is set to start treating patients by Spring 2014.

Dr Mike Dennis, Director of the HTU at The Christie, said; "We are confident we have the staff to deliver the best patient care and this new facility will enable us to take this to the next level in terms of experience and environment."

Dr Mike Leahy, Director of the Young Oncology Unit at The Christie, said; "Teenage and young adult cancer patients need the best medical care and more - they need wider care to get through the treatment and have the best outcomes. It's this dual care, which we provide, which is so important. Our care and support team includes social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists - staff with particular experience in looking after patients of this age.

"This new unit will help us achieve our vision of being a world-leading centre of expertise in the treatment of young people's cancers."

On the day, guests were given an overview of the development's progress to date, shown plans of how the unit will look and visited the construction site.

The new unit will be a centre for teenagers and young adults with cancer across Greater Manchester and Cheshire and include inpatient and outpatient facilities as well as rehabilitation and support services.

The HTU at The Christie is where patients with blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma receive their treatment. The new centre will not only improve the patient experience but will also increase the number of specialist rooms available for patients undergoing transplants and other treatments.

Dennis Tueart, who scored the stunning winning goal in the 1976 League Cup final, has continued to raise money for the teenage cancer unit at The Christie after his own brother was successfully treated for a tumour aged 24. He also donates royalties from his autobiography 'My Football Journey'.