One of our surgeons will be running the London Marathon next month to raise funds for our Robot Appeal.
Mr Roshan Lal, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon and Trust Cancer Lead at the James Paget, pictured above, will be taking part in the marathon on Sunday 23 April with the aim of raising money to help purchase a surgical robot for use at our hospital.
We’re currently working to raise £1.6million for a new robot that can be used by our surgeons to allow surgeries to be performed with more precision. The surgical robot is expected to provide a host of benefits for patients, allowing specialist surgery to be carried out closer to home, decreasing the length of stay in hospital, reducing post-operative complications and lowering readmission rates. The robot will also allow our experienced team to train future surgeons and to develop research in robotic and minimal invasive surgery. This will benefit a number of specialities including general surgery and colorectal surgery.
Mr Lal said; “More than 42,000 people annually are diagnosed with bowel cancer - it is the fourth most common cancer after breast, prostate and lung cancer and it is the second most prevalent cancer that affects both men and women. One in 14 men (7%) and one in 19 women (5%) will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime. Bowel cancer can affect people of any age, although 94% of bowel cancer is diagnosed in those over 50 and four out of ten people are diagnosed over the age of 75.
“Surgery is often the most effective treatment, but it can be difficult and invasive, with long recovery times and significant risks. The James Paget is fundraising to purchase a robot to be used for treating bowel as well as other cancers and complex benign conditions.
“With the robot we will be able to perform more complex cases with minimally invasive surgery, allowing for smaller incisions, faster recovery times, reduced risk of complications and overall better outcomes.”
The London Marathon will be the second major fundraising run Mr Lal has undertaken this Spring after he successfully completed the Blickling Half Marathon on Sunday 19 March with a number of his colleagues.
He took up running after his son kept urging him to do a Park Run.
He says; “I initially didn’t know what a Park Run was and my son kept saying ‘dad you should try one’. Eventually I came around to the idea and went along to Gorleston to watch him run and then decided to give it a go. I’ve now completed more than 150 Park Runs, many 10Ks and nine half marathons and I’m now inspired to run the London marathon to raise funds for the robot.
“Only a few people knew I was also doing the London Marathon. I’ve applied several times but have never been lucky enough to get a place until now so I’m pleased that I can now announce that I’m doing this to raise funds for the Robot Appeal. Your support with fund raising, no matter how small, will make a difference.”
To support Mr Lal’s marathon run and our Robot Appeal please visit; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roshan-lal or please scan the QR code below.
