Paul Verrico triumphs in a 10-marathon challenge to support cancer research.
- Over 10 months and 10 countries, Verrico ran 265.4 miles, raising significant funds.
- The challenge honours Anna Verrico, contributing over £1.3m through Team Verrico.
- Funds raised will support a University of Sheffield study on breast cancer.
- Verrico’s efforts focus on aiding families and advancing medical research.
Widowed lawyer Paul Verrico has successfully concluded a formidable marathon challenge aimed at financing a pioneering cancer research project at the University of Sheffield. Over a span of 10 months, Verrico covered three continents and 10 countries, clocking a total of 265.4 miles. This physical feat was not only a personal test of endurance but also a demonstration of unwavering commitment to a cause close to his heart.
Verrico’s journey was arduous, involving elevations up to 7,300 feet, but his determination was fuelled by a deeply personal mission. His wife, Anna, tragically succumbed to an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2013. Since her passing, Paul has channelled his grief and resolve into Team Verrico, a charity established in Anna’s honour. The charity has raised over £1.3 million, aiding families grappling with cancer and supporting small research studies.
The marathon series was designed to mark a decade since Team Verrico’s inception, with a bold objective to fund a specific study on triple negative breast cancer at the University of Sheffield. Verrico’s original fundraising target of £52,000 was surpassed, with the final amount exceeding £69,500, thanks to contributions from corporate sponsors and personal supporters. These funds are earmarked for investigating a potential biomarker in breast cancer, which could revolutionise monitoring and treatment strategies.
During the marathons, Verrico was often joined by family and friends, including his children, demonstrating the communal spirit underpinning this initiative. His children, Alessandro and Lucia, participated in a mini-marathon in Riga, exemplifying the familial bond and shared commitment to the cause.
Professor Lewis from the University emphasised the significance of the study, highlighting its potential to transform cancer prognosis and treatment by validating a new biomarker. Paul Verrico’s fundraising efforts are set to significantly enhance the study’s success, with implications for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes for women around the world.
Paul Verrico’s initiative exemplifies a powerful blend of personal resolve and communal support in the fight against cancer.
