Put your trainers on to beat cancer

Thursday 07 September 2017

Men are being encouraged to sign up for this year's Run4Men which will be held this Sunday in memory of Justin Cotillard who died in May 2016 of an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The local branch of Cancer Research UK has teamed up with Justin's wife, Emma, to honour his memory and help raise funds for the charity.

Justin passed away at just 30 years old due to an aggressive form of brain cancer, months after marrying Emma and becoming dad to their baby daughter Mia. Emma hopes that this year’s Run4Men will be a poignant opportunity for Islanders to come together in memory of Justin and all those whose lives have been lost to cancer.

Sponsored by local finance firm Sancus, Run4Men will be held on Sunday 10 September. Men of all ages and abilities are invited to walk, jog or run the 5km or 10km routes, with the warm up starting at 10:30. The shorter route will take place from Les Jardins de la Mer to Bel Royal and back, while the longer one will go up to St Aubin and back.  

Pictured: Justin died just a few months after his daughter's birth from an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Emma said that she first realised there was something seriously wrong with her husband while they were on their honeymoon, when Justin started screaming at her to get out of his room. She said: "He thought I was a stranger and didn’t remember that I was seven months pregnant with our first baby. We cut our holiday short and returned home where an MRI scan revealed that Justin was suffering from the deadliest form of brain tumour in adults, known as a glioblastoma."

Emma hopes that the race will also help raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK to help beat the deadly disease. She is urging everyone to sign up and take part not just for Justin, but also for their loved ones. She said: "Cancer is quite simply life destroying and it is something that we should all be trying to fight. I am pleased to be working with Cancer Research UK Jersey and hope that Run4Men will help to raise money for life saving research."

The money raised through Run4Men will contribute to the Cancer Research UK center in Southampton.Many islanders are treated in Southampton and as such it is considered the local hospital for cancer patients, as well as the closest hospital for clinical trials as there is no research environment in Jersey.

Richard Hughes, Chairman of Cancer Research UK Jersey, said that the charity was honoured to be hosting the race in memory of "the loving husband, friend and father that Justin was." He said: "Justin was a very fit, amateur boxer when he began to experience symptoms that led to the discovery of his tumour. His story is a heart-breaking reminder of the destruction that cancer can have on so many people’s lives. I would like to say a big thank you to Justin’s wife, Emma, who has demonstrated such strength, bravery and generosity by transforming such a difficult time in her life, into a story that can help to support others and inspire people to raise money that will help to save lives."

"But cancers are still the main cause of death in Jersey. We have a long way to go before we can say that we have beaten cancer for good, which is why events like Run4Men are so important. I really hope that people feel encouraged to sign up and take part for their chance to really make a difference."

Participants can sign up online with registration costing £25 for adults and £10 for children under 16 years old. Registration will also be available on the day at the cost of £30 for adults and £10 for children.