A MOTHER who has devoted her career to cancer research is taking on a challenge to raise funds with her children.

After years of trying to find new and novel ways to eradicate cancer, Debora Joseph-Pietras and her two children are taking part in the renowned Race for Life while at home.

As a senior research fellow at Southampton’s Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, funded by Cancer Research UK, she leads a team developing and assessing the effectiveness of early phase clinical trials of new drugs and therapies for patients.

Part of that work involves assessing samples taken from cancer patients being treated around the UK, to analyse if and how a new trial drug is working for them.

And despite the lockdown, the vital work is continuing while she stays at home.

Daily Echo:

The 43-year-old moved from France to work at the Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre in 2007.

Debora, who lives in Eastleigh with husband Yann, 43, and their daughter Maëlys, eight and four-year-old son Alex, said: “It was really exciting to move into working on clinical trials as it felt more frontline, you can see results of research and new drugs that will hopefully make a difference with patients.”

While Race for Life events in Southampton have been postponed, they are joining a growing army of people who are taking on the challenge at home or nearest green space.

It was her sport-loving daughter Maëlys who came up with the idea of taking part in Race for Life at home.

Having completed 100 jumps on her trampoline to celebrate the 100th birthday of Captain Tom Moore, the youngster decided she wanted to run to support Cancer Research UK.

The pair have scoped out a 5K route to run near home.

Daily Echo:

Deb said: “I know only too well how important research is if we want to find better and more effective treatments for cancer to enable more people to spend more tomorrows with those they love.

“We like to do Race for Life, so during the lockdown what better way to show our support than by doing our own version at home.”