DOCTORS, nurses and former blood cancer patients will battle through the pain barrier during a half-marathon to raise funds to find a cure for leukaemia.

Over 30 haematology staff from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have been inspired to run the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, October 16 for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

Doctors, former patients, lab technicians, and nurses from the trust – which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre - are all taking part in the 13.1 half marathon to raise funds.

Consultant Dr Nick Pemberton and specialist research nurse Kate Arthur, whose position is funded by the charity, have been instrumental in assembling ‘Team Haem’.

Kate said: "Thanks to Cure Leukaemia we can open clinical trials in Worcestershire that otherwise could not have been run here.

"This gives our patients the opportunity to take part in internationally significant research, providing answers to important questions about how to treat blood cancers.

"I am thrilled that so many of my colleagues will be running alongside me in October to raise funds for this fantastic charity.”

One patient who has benefited from Kate’s position at the hospital is Fiona Walker from Cheltenham.

Fiona was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2009 and was told her treatment for the disease was likely to prevent her having children.

Seven years later Fiona is in good health and now has a four-month-old baby called Ellie.

She said: “Without Dr Pemberton, Kate and the team here at Worcestershire Royal I may not be here now and neither would our gorgeous little girl.

"It’s amazing that so many staff for the hospital are running in October for Cure Leukaemia. I hope they raise significant funds for the charity so that more blood cancer patients like me can access these groundbreaking treatments.”

Three former blood cancer patients are running in ‘Team Haem’ including 20-year-old Brooke Evans from Redditch.

Three years ago Brooke was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and thanks to funds raised for Cure Leukaemia she is now in remission and training to become a nurse at Worcester University.

She said: “I am really enjoying training to become a nurse and I can’t wait to be able to help people who are in the same position I was a few years ago.”

To make a donation to ‘Team Haem’ go to www.justgiving.com/Teamhaem2016. Cure Leukaemia offer FREE entry into the Great Birmingham Run. To sign up and run for the charity email: beinspired@cureleukaemia.co.uk.