Latest news with #CancerResearchWales
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh language commissioner's charity of the year named
The announcement was made on Friday, August 8, at the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod. Efa Gruffudd Jones, Welsh language commissioner, said: "We are delighted to announce that Cancer Research Wales is this year's Welsh language commissioner's charity of the year. "The work they do makes a significant contribution to our understanding of this illness, an illness that affects all of us in one way or another." The commissioner selects a charity each year through an internal staff vote. The partnership aims to raise awareness of Cancer Research Wales' work while raising funds to support the charity. Iwan Rhys Roberts, from Cancer Research Wales, said: "We are extremely grateful to have been chosen as Charity of the Year by the Welsh language commissioner's office. "By 2030, it is estimated that one in two of the population in Wales will be affected by cancer."
South Wales Argus
06-08-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Caerleon RAF cadets welcome Miss World as part of her Wales tour
Opal Suchata, from Thailand, was in Wales to visit Beauty With A Purpose projects supported by the Miss Wales organisation. She visited 1367 (Caerleon) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets as part of the tour and was accompanied by Miss Wales 2025, Helena Hawke, an ex-cadet and now a member of the civilian committee team. Ms Hawke is using her title of Miss Wales to encourage girls to find out more about the opportunities the RAF offers young people across the UK. During her visit, Miss World took part in taster sessions showcasing some of the activities on offer to cadets including flight simulation, first aid demonstrations and a drill display and instruction. Helena Hawke, Miss Wales 2025, said: 'We were all extremely excited to welcome Miss World to Wales. To have her witness first-hand the beauty with a purpose projects we are so passionate about is wonderful. "She received the warmest Welsh welcome and most importantly saw the good work that is being done by the Miss Wales organisation on the ground to help communities throughout Wales.' Miss World also visited Welsh Women's Aid to find out more about the Ask Me Ambassador programme which educates communities about abuse of women and girls. In recent years, all Miss Wales titleholders have undergone the Ask Me Ambassador training. She also visited the laboratories supported by Cancer Research Wales at the University Hospital of Wales, which focus on world-class research spanning early diagnosis to cutting-edge treatments and survivor support. While there she was joined by former Miss Wales, now Miss UK, Millie-Mae Adams who is an ambassador for Cancer Research Wales. Opal is a campaigner for breast cancer awareness. Her advocacy, Opal For Her, is deeply personal as aged 16 she underwent surgery to remove a benign breast tumour. That experience became the catalyst for a nationwide campaign in Thailand focused on education, early detection, and empowerment.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Family of boy, 13, who died the day after being diagnosed with cancer are doing something wonderful
Family of boy, 13, who died the day after being diagnosed with cancer are doing something wonderful Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised in memory of Tom Walker who died from leukaemia in 2018 Tom Walker, 13, from Monmouth, lost his life just day after being diagnosed with leukaemia (Image: Debbie Walker ) The impact of young Tom Walker's life, cut tragically short at age 13, is measured in the incredible resilience of his family and their determination to raise funds to help fight the disease that claimed him. Tom was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a blood cancer in June 2018. That hammer blow for any family was followed by the devastation of Tom's passing just 24 hours later. He could not recover from an operation that was needed to begin his treatment. Since those terrible days Tom's family have helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for cancer charities in his memory. Tom's mother, Debbie Walker said his illness 'crept up on him'. She added: "As a friend recently said to me, it was never a fair fight - and that is what would have annoyed Tom the most. Tom Walker (centre), with his parents Debbie and Tim, along with sisters Holly, 13, and Emily, 11 (Image: Debbie Walker ) "He was always fair. He had an incredible sense of what was right and what was wrong. He would have taken anything on, but this was a very one-sided fight." Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here Article continues below Tom was a student at the Monmouth School for Boys, and had participated in a Brecon Beacons Night Hike in March 2018, raising £700 for Cancer Research Wales, weeks before his death. Headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys, Dr Andrew Daniel, had described how Tom's death came as a 'terrible shock' for the school community. 'Immeasurable loss' "Tom's death came as a terrible shock for the whole Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools' community,' he said. "Tom was a very popular and caring boy, who had a fondness for rowing, was a very talented drummer and sang in the magical performance by the schools' musicians at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. 'His loss is still felt immeasurably by us all. The resilience of Tom's family has been remarkable, and they are an inspiration to all of us." Tom with his dad Tim (Image: Cancer Research Wales ) To honour Tom's memory, his sister, Katie Cameron, who was then the deputy head girl for Monmouth School for Girls, and the Monnow Swimming Club held a swimathon which was called 'Swim for Tom', on Sunday 6 January 2019. The event was supported by the Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools and Cancer Research Wales and had the aim of covering a total distance of 430km — the length of the River Wye, and back again. However, the event ended up surpassing that goal, with over 600 swimmers covering a total of 988km, raising more than £25,000 for Tom's Fund. The next year, Swim for Tom was held once again on January 12, 2020, with over 500 swimmers raising more than £15,000 for charity. The fundraising done in Tom's memory has had a material impact as well. The first £100,000 raised by Swim for Tom 2019, and several other events were used to fund a PhD research post which was then taken by Theo Morin. In 2024, Theo completed his research thesis at Cardiff University, titled "Engineering Optimal T-Cells for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia", in a bid to increase understanding of the disease. A swimathon that was held in memory of Tom In 2023, Tom's Fund was able to generate £200,000 with a second £100,000 being raised to help with the funding for two glioblastoma tumour projects. To find out more on how this funding was spent click here . Swim for Tom is returning again this year and will be held on Sunday, June 29 at the Monmouth School Sports Centre. Tom's Fund is inviting 480 swimmers to meet its target distance of 587km, which translates to 23,480 lengths of a 25m swimming pool, and is the distance between Monmouth to Edinburgh. Once again, the proceeds from the event will be used to raise funds for Tom's Fund at Cancer Research Wales. Along with swimming, the event will also be running a cafe which will be selling homemade cakes, drinks, and other goods as well as a raffle. Article continues below There will be a maximum of 8 swimmers per lane in an hour, with the outer lanes being designated as slow and fast lanes, and the other two being designated for any other swimmers. People can also register as lane counters. Once you have selected your role and a lane, you will be asked to pay £10, which will go to Tom's fund for supporting cancer research. You can register on Ticket Source by clicking here .
Business News Wales
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Mentera Celebrates Raising £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales
Mentera, a leading business support and development organisation, has raised £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales over two years of dedicated fundraising. Cancer Research Wales is an independent Welsh charity and the only charity dedicated to funding cancer research in Wales, for Wales. The sum was raised through a diverse range of fundraising activities undertaken by Mentera staff. The decision to extend the charity partnership for a second year was made following the brave battle of a valued team member, Elan Davies, who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The organisation said it was now thrilled to share that Elan has successfully completed her treatment and is in remission. It added that it was 'profoundly grateful' for the generosity and support from Elan's family, friends, and the wider community, whose contributions greatly boosted the fundraising efforts. Elan Davies said: 'I'm incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues at Mentera throughout my treatment journey, and I'm immensely proud and fortunate to work for an organisation that demonstrates such deep commitment to its employees and making a positive impact in the community. To see our collective efforts culminate in this remarkable total for Cancer Research Wales is truly inspiring. Now, being in remission, contributing to research that could benefit people here in Wales, facing diagnoses similar to mine, means even more to me.' Llŷr Roberts, CEO of Mentera, said: 'We are incredibly proud of our staff's sustained dedication and fundraising efforts. To have collectively raised £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales is a testament to their commitment and generosity. This charity remains incredibly close to our hearts, and we continue to be inspired by Elan's courage, resilience, and positivity throughout her treatment. We are honoured to play a part in funding vital research, finding new treatments, and supporting those, like Elan, who are affected by cancer, ultimately contributing to a healthier Wales.' Mentera employees raised the funds for two consecutive years. Their diverse efforts included a team of 20 members of staff, joined by Elan's husband Iwan, participating in the Cardiff Half Marathon, organising festive Christmas jumper days, hosting fun-filled bingo nights, auctions, raffles and various other initiatives. Iwan Rhys Roberts, Communications and Marketing Manager for Cancer Research Wales, said: 'We are immensely grateful for the Mentera team's ongoing dedication and support for Cancer Research Wales. As the Welsh cancer research charity, we rely on the kindness of the people of Wales for their donations which allow us to fund the pioneering research into cancer that we support here in Wales. Mentera's contribution – an incredible £17,500, will help us to continue funding the brightest researchers, clinicians, and health professionals who are pushing the boundaries of cancer research discoveries right here in Wales for the benefit of the people of Wales.' Mentera recognises the importance of a healthy population for a thriving Wales. By supporting Cancer Research Wales, Mentera said it goes beyond its core activities, actively contributing to the well-being of current and future generations. It added that this long-standing commitment 'perfectly aligns with Mentera's values and its vision for a healthier and more prosperous Wales'.
Wales Online
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea Half Marathon best pictures as thousands of runners tackle 13.1-mile course
The Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon made its return on Sunday offering runners a scenic and fast-paced coastal course through Wales' second-largest city. Starting at 9am from the Copr Bay Bridge near Swansea Arena the race featured a fully closed-road route open to both first-timers and seasoned runners. The 13.1-mile course saw thousands of runners pass through Singleton Park, the historic Brangwyn Hall, and Swansea Castle ruins, before heading towards the National Waterfront Museum. The route continued along the Swansea Bay coastline for five miles before looping back to the finish line at Swansea Arena. Hundreds of the participants took the opportunity to run for various causes, sporting tops from and raising money for charities such as Cancer Research Wales, Crisis UK, Prostate Cymru, and Wales Air Ambulance. This year's event also featured the popular Front Runner City 5 Miler, offering a shorter, more accessible race option. Take a look at some photos from the day of the thousands of participants and spectators who came out in force in Swansea and see if you can spot yourself.
