Staff member strides out at Run in the Park to thank hospital for care

18th May 2016

A Sheffield Teaching Hospitals employee has signed up for a 3k run through Graves Park this Summer in memory of her mother in law.

Susan Hitchen who works in the Estates Department as a Commissioning Manager, will take on the 3k run on the 10th July alongside her husband and 2 children to raise vital funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity. Weston Park Hospital is one of only a handful of specialist cancer hospitals in England and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire a population of almost 1.8million people. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to support the world-class cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer. Run in the Park welcomes families, friends and colleagues to don their running vests in support of the cancer charity and is well attended by hospital staff, fundraisers and patients alike. Now into its eighth year, the cancer charity is encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to take on either the 3k fun run or 10k race on the 10th July through Graves Park as part of this popular event. Susan (33), who lives in Dronfield, will take part in the event for the 3rd time in memory of her mother-in-law, Christine Hitchen who sadly passed away in 2015 after fighting cancer. After being diagnosed with Adrenal Cancer back in 2001 and having several operations and treatments over the years at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, including Weston Park Hospital; Christine passed away last year surrounded by her loving family. -We are heartbroken,' said Susan, -Christine was a fighter and although she battled her disease for many years and received the best possible care, she did so with a smile because that's the sort of person she was. -She will be missed by so many and her memory will live on for a very long time. We took part in Run in the Park in 2014 and 2015 to support her during treatment and now we will do so again in her memory. Run in the Park, which last year saw over 900 people attend, has raised over an incredible £300,000 since it first began 8 years ago and each year attracts more runners wanting to raise money to support the vital work of Weston Park Hospital. Susan continued, -It will be a sad and poignant day but also a celebration of Christine's life. The event is a brilliant way for families and friends of patients receiving treatment at Weston Park Hospital to come together and make a real difference by raising sponsorship and taking on either a 3k run or a longer 10k race. -The event has a carnival-like feel to it and there's so much going on for runners of all ages, plus the atmosphere created by the hundreds of spectators cheering on from the side-lines. The cancer charity needs to raise over £2 million this year to enable the funding of committed and new projects that will keep patients at the forefront of cancer treatment. Charity Fundraising Manager Helen gentle said, -We are very grateful to Susan and her family for signing up for Run in the Park despite their recent loss. -The event is an opportunity for patients, relatives and friends of those fighting cancer, or who have sadly lost their battles, to come together and make a real difference to cancer services across the region. -There's something for everyone on the day, and whether you're an experienced runner or just running for fun, we'd encourage you to sign up and join us at this special event. To support Susan's fundraising for Run in the Park visit her JustGiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Hitchen-WestonParkHospital To sign up for Run in the Park and take on the 3k fun run or 10k race at Graves Park visit www.runinthepark.org.uk