Professor to take on epic bike ride raising funds for ovarian cancer research

25 Apr 2017

Professor Richard Edmondson will team up with Ken Gyles, whose daughter Emma sadly lost her battle with ovarian cancer at the age of just 24

Since her tragic death, Ken has worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer, also known as “the silent killer” because many times there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.

He teamed up with the consultant in charge of Emma’s care, Professor Richard Edmondson, to develop what is now known as The Emma Gyles Bursary Fund. This enables a medical student to take a year out of their degree to undertake research into the deadly disease, specifically answering questions as to how to target therapy to ensure each patient receives an individualised treatment plan. To date, Ken and his supporters have raised over £60,000 towards ovarian cancer research. 

Both Ken and Richard are keen cyclists, and so every few years in memory of Emma and to raise awareness, they plan a challenging bike ride. This year’s peloton will be setting off from Target Ovarian Cancer’s Head Office in Islington, London on 11 May,finishing at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, a city loved by Emma. 

This year, the holder of the Emma Gyles Bursary Fund award, James Platt, will also be riding. James has completed 4 years of his medical degree and is now half way through his intercalating MRes year which is a one year research degree. 

Ken and Richard have a Justgiving page if you'd like to support their challenge.