Marathon effort backs Sir Bobby’s legacy

A North East healthcare professional is going the distance to support a major cancer research project in the region.

Jordi Evans, a clinical trials pharmacy technician at Newcastle Hospitals, is preparing to run her first marathon to raise funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The money will contribute towards the £30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a new cancer trials facility currently under construction at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. 

The centre will bring together research teams and provide advanced treatment options for patients across the North East, North Yorkshire and North Cumbria.

Jordi, 29, who has worked in clinical trials for six years, plays a key role in delivering cancer drug studies to patients. 

She works closely with both early phase trials teams based at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and late phase and haematology teams at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

Both teams, led by Professor Ruth Plummer, will come together under one roof when they relocate to the new institute.

Jordi’s fundraising effort reflects her close involvement in the work and the impact it has on patient outcomes.

She said: “My job is to help set up and assess the feasibility of studies, then ensure their general maintenance to ensure patients get their drugs on time.

“It’s a privilege to do this job because, like far too many people, my family has been affected by cancer, so I know at first hand the fear caused by hearing that diagnosis.

“However, I’m lucky to see at first hand that treatment options are progressing every day thanks to clinical trials, and I want to help things move even faster by fundraising to help build the Sir Bobby Robson Institute.”

Jordi, pictured above, who is originally from Wrexham and now living in West Jesmond, added: “When I moved up to the North East 18 months ago my mam had just finished treatment for breast cancer. 

“At the time, I didn’t know what area I’d be specialising at Newcastle Hospitals and when I heard I’d be working in cancer drug trials it felt like it was meant to be.

“I’ve never run a marathon before and the preparation has been pretty time consuming.

“I did ballet up until I was 18 but this is a very different kind of training.

“I recently did the Middlesbrough Half Marathon and that went really well. 

“In fact, I got a personal best, which I wasn’t expecting! 

“And I’ve been lucky so far to avoid injury and have great support from my colleagues, who are all behind me.

“We have a Newcastle Hospitals Pharmacy Park Run team and we’re trying to do a different run every week. 

“We’re all of us really excited about the increased delivery of clinical trials that the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute will bring and I’m proud to be doing my little bit to help fundraise for it.”

More than £26.5 million has already been raised for the institute, including a £2 million contribution from The Barbour Foundation, with further support needed to complete and equip the facility by 2027.

Professor Plummer, director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, added: “Jordi and the rest of the pharmacy team are an integral part of the work we do to offer trials and develop better treatments for patients.

“It is fantastic and a perfect example of her dedication to her job that she is running her first marathon to support ‘Sir Bobby’s Last and Greatest team’.”

To sponsor Jordi’s efforts, click here.

For Sir Bobby Robson Institute fundraising enquiries please contact Kate Bradley at Kate.bradley14@nhs.net or call 0191 213 7235.

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