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Press release posted 18 January 2024
On Saturday 4 January 2025, Sarah Harding’s consultant Dr Sacha Howell, from The Christie hospital, will take part in a special 5km fundraising run to raise funds for The Christie Charity Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal.
The Girls Aloud singer, model and actress, Sarah Harding died in September 2021 age 39, following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Her memory continues to inspire groundbreaking work in breast cancer research, via an innovative study called BCAN-RAY (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women) study, led by Dr Howell who was Sarah’s consultant during her treatment at The Christie in Manchester.
BCAN-RAY was set up following Sarah’s dying wish to find new ways to spot the signs of the disease earlier and stop it cutting lives short like hers. “There are too many young women in their 30s, like Sarah, tragically dying from breast cancer,” said Dr Howell. “She was very keen for more research to be done to find out why they are being diagnosed despite no other family members having been affected by the disease. Sarah spoke to me many times about this during her own treatment.
“The BCAN-RAY study is Sarah’s legacy and the first study of its kind for young women which is helping us find out how we can more accurately identify those who may develop breast cancer. It is still the leading cause of death in women under 50 and BCAN-RAY will help us identify those most at risk so we can offer them breast screening to detect cancers earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”
Sarah Harding’s Girls Aloud bandmates, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh continue to champion the cause, alongside generous public support.
Dr Howell, who along with The Christie, also works for Manchester University Foundation Trust (MFT) and the University of Manchester, decided to get involved directly with the fundraising for this vital cause so he and Manchester Cancer Research Centre’s Sally Best will be competing in a friendly but spirited race titled Walk (Run) This Way at SportCity, Manchester Regional Arena, to raise funds for The Christie Charity’s Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal.
Alicia Gaffey, mass participation officer from The Christie Charity, said, “We’re thrilled to see Dr Howell and Sally Best leading this fundraising event. It highlights how people can come together to make a difference in honour of Sarah Harding and her legacy.”
Donations can be made by guessing which athlete, Dr Howell or Sally Best, will claim victory in the race. There will also be a fun run open to participants of all abilities before the competitive race. Those wishing to take part can register at Walk (Run) This Way: Sarah Harding 5km Fundraiser.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.