Making Miles Matter as we #CatchUpWithCancer

Welcome to the summer of ’24!

Time to get outside, make great memories, boost our mental health and #CatchUpWithCancer!

Miles4Radiotherapy 2024 is a two-month virtual summer challenge welcoming everyone to make the miles matter and be part of the wide and wonderful radiotherapy community. You choose how you move and set your own goals for how many miles you hope to achieve and how much you want to fundraise. All are welcome. Whether you want to run a marathon or simply get some fresh air for five minutes every day, you can make a difference.

Sadly almost 4 in 10 patients are still waiting too long for their cancer treatment , with every 4 weeks delay leading to a 10% increase in death for some cancers. The #CatchUpWithCancer campaign is needed now more than ever as cancer cases are predicted to grown by a third by 2040. Every step you take and every pound you raise supports the UK’s longest and loudest campaign for cancer patients facing deadly treatment delays.

What’s the challenge?

Miles4Radiotherapy 2024 is a two-month virtual summer challenge welcoming everyone to clock their miles and fundraise what they can through July and August. In previous years we have welcomed over 500 participants including patients and their families, the radiotherapy workforce and industry to the challenge. Funds raised will support our crucial #CatchUpWithCancer campaign and the work of Radiotherapy UK. Our event partners this year are AXREM , Leo Cancer Care and Radiaderm, and we are also delighted to welcome oncology podcast @Rad_Chat as our media partner!

VIDEO: #CatchUpWithCancer campaign

I’m in! How do I start?

Register here and set up your fundraising page. Your registration fee supports our ongoing work to #CatchUpWithCancer. You can start a team for your friends and workmates or join a team that’s already been set up (anyone is welcome to join our very own Radiotherapy UK team). You can also do the challenge on your own if you prefer.

What do I have to do once I’ve registered?

Then you have the whole of July and August to collect as many miles as you can, however you choose: walking, running, cycling, scooting, swimming, surfing and horse riding have all been done in previous challenges. You will need to connect your fundraising page to the Strava app to record your miles, and if you are part of a team, you can set a team goal for as many miles as possible.

Once you’re all signed up, make your miles matter by having a bash at fundraising. You can share your sponsorship form with friends and family, send out an email to your networks explaining what you are doing with a link to your online fundraising page, ask your work if they will match fund the amount you raise, and share your #Miles4Radiotherapy journey on socials with ways to give.

What support will I get?

Everyone that takes part will get a fundraising pack, sponsorship form, snazzy multifunctional bandana, and a Thank You lanyard upon finishing the event. We’ll be backing your efforts with lots of moral support and can't wait to share your pics and updates. This year we are also trialling a Facebook group where people can share pics and encourage each other.

What’s the aim?

This year we are setting the bar high and trying to reach 220,000 miles – every mile represents someone that has waited too long for treatment between 2020 and 2024. The more miles we can collect, the more fundraising we can do!

Last year participants did some brilliant challenges: Sam took on an Ultra, Chris ran the equivalent of 10 marathons, and Rema climbed Ben Nevis. You don’t have to climb the UK’s highest peak unless you want to (!) but #Miles4Radiotherapy is a great chance to set a personal goal and smash it.

So thank you for joining us for this bright and bold summer challenge as we push decision makers to catch up with cancer and save lives. Radiotherapy UK is a registered charity and registered with the Fundraising Regulator. We receive NO government funding and the future of our #CatchUpWithCancer campaign relies on public donations. www.radiotherapy.org.uk