Redditch medics team up to do something big

A GROUP of 29 footsore medics from the Alexandra and Worcestershire hospitals have raised more than £17,500 by tackling the Great Birmingham Run.
The team, named ‘Team Haem’, grew out of an idea from Dr Nick Pemberton, a haematology consultant who wanted to ‘do something big’ to support the charity Cure Leukaemia which funds nurses and supports research into the condition in Birmingham.
He persuaded colleagues from the two hospitals to join him in the 13 mile challenge and together they tackled the course last Sunday (October 16).
Nurse Kate Arthur said: “Cure Leukaemia have funded my post at the Acute Trust since 2009. During that time I have put many patients into trials in my role as a haematology research nurse.
“Our team included doctors, nurses, biomedical scientists, lab assistants, pharmacists, R&D staff, secretaries, healthcare assistants from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, a few other random professions and perhaps most importantly, three former patients.
“Around half of ‘Team Haem’ were running their first half marathon, but the support we received from patients has been amazing and their kind words and generous donations have been quite humbling.”
Former patient Victoria Bennett added: “In January 2013 I was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia. It’s a day in my life I will never forget and, honestly, one that was extremely difficult.
I was lucky though, I was being treated by an amazing team of hospital staff who gave me every reason to be positive.
“It was a poignant time when I was asked to join the team as I’d just had my (hopefully) final bone marrow to monitor my condition. The results were clear and so, for me, meant that I was three years in remission.
“I’m one of the lucky ones. Completing the run was a challenge, but it was nothing compared to the challenge many patients face every day in their battle with this disease.”
To donate to Victoria’s Just Giving page visit http://bit.ly/2dzMzou or visit the team’s page at http://bit.ly/2eklicH which is still open for donations.