Media Alert Marathon Runner Raises Funds for the Mouth Cancer Foundation

MEDIA ALERT – MARATHON RUNNER RAISES FUNDS FOR THE MOUTH

CANCER FOUNDATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – TUESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY 2013

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE:  FOUNDER OF THE MOUTH CANCER FOUNDATION – DR VINOD JOSHI  RUNNER – EMMA WALLIS

To set up an interview and for more information please call Media Ambitions on 0208 940 2222.

A keen marathon runner from St Neots, Cambridgeshire is taking part in the London Marathon on 21st April 2013 with his daughter in order to raise much needed awareness and funds for the country’s leading mouth cancer charity, the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Phil Redden, 60, and Emma Wallis, 34, have decided to run for the Mouth Cancer Foundation as they feel passionate about supporting the charity. The cause is especially important for Phil who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2012 after suffering from a persistent cough. Luckily, his cancer was found at an early stage and after completing a four-week course of radiotherapy, Phil is now cancer free.

As a keen runner, Phil has completed over 100 marathons in the past. Although he initially started running in 1987 to lose weight, he is now a running enthusiast. In 2000, he won the Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race from Birmingham to London which he completed in 34 hours. Emma says “My dad is just running mad. His running definitely helped with his treatment as it allowed him to stay mentally strong. We are now going to run together as we want to help support other families who may be going through the same experience that we did.”

The Founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, Dr Vinod Joshi says “We are grateful to Phil and Emma for raising money for our charity. All funds will go towards helping improve the support for mouth cancer sufferers and their families, as well as highlighting the shocking facts about mouth cancer.”

To sponsor Phil and Emma, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Emma-and-Phil. For more information on the Mouth Cancer Foundation visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org.

-ENDS- For general press enquiries, please contact: Elizabeth Laverack or Izabela Nair Media Ambitions - 020 8940 2222 [email protected] [email protected] www.mediaambitions.com

NOTES TO EDITORS The Mouth Cancer Foundation – www.mouthcancerfoundation.org The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity no. 1109298.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a charity solely dedicated to supporting people affected by head and neck cancer. Support can play a pivotal role in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients. The Mouth Cancer Foundation’s online and telephone support service has given head and neck cancer patients and families the opportunity to articulate the consequences of their cancer journey and communicate their shared experiences. It is vital that the charity continues to provide free accessible information resources and ensure Mouth Cancer Foundation support is provided to those that need them.

In the UK, nearly 8000 people are diagnosed with Mouth Cancer every year. Cancers can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, and adjacent areas like the throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites in the head and neck area. In its very early stages, these Mouth Cancers can be easy to ignore.

Symptoms include: 1. An ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not heal within 3 weeks 2. A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw or neck that persists for more than 3 weeks 3. A difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue 5. A numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth 6. A feeling that something is caught in the throat 7. A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than 6 weeks 8. An unexplained loosening of teeth with no dental cause

More information about Mouth Cancer is available at the Mouth Cancer Foundation website www.mouthcancerfoundation.org or by emailing [email protected]