ePolitix runner attempting this year's Virgin London marathon for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA

23 April 2010

Keira Roth, of Dods-Epolitix, is joining the Mr Men and Little Miss team at this year's Virgin London Marathon (25 April, 2010) to raise money for, and awareness of, children affected by the UK's most common childhood cancer – leukaemia.

Keira chose to run this year's marathon for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA after reporting on the charity's party conference fringe events in 2009 for Dods. Each year, around 450 children are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. Although survival rates have been steadily improving over the past few decades, approximately 50 children a year still lose their short life to this devastating disease. The remainder go through several years of gruelling treatment. In addition, the causes of childhood leukaemia are not well understood but the increasing incidence of the disease suggests that environmental and/or lifestyle factors may be involved.

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is the UK's leading charity dedicated to the conquest of childhood leukaemia through pioneering research, new treatment and support of leukaemic children and their families. The charity was set up by Eddie and Marion O'Gorman after their 14 year old son Paul died from leukaemia. Just nine months later they lost their daughter Jean to cancer.

Keira has spent months preparing for the big day and hopes to complete the gruelling 26.2 miles in around 5 hours. Please join us in wishing Keira all the best for Sunday. You'll be able to spot the Mr Men and Little Miss team easily in their trademark Mr Happy and Mr Tickle running vests, only made possible by the generous support received from Chorion.

Caroline Hampden-White at CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, said: "I work closely with Keira and many of her colleagues at Dods and we were thrilled when she chose to run for us and raise vital funds that will immediately put to work in our fight save young lives. It's a big commitment and Dods have been fantastic in supporting Keira's preparation for her challenge. Good luck to Keira and all the runners on Sunday, we'll be cheering you on all the way!"