NNUH ‘Mole Catchers’ compete in triathlon to beat skin cancer

Three members of the Skin Tumour Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will be competing in the Norwich Triathlon on Sunday 9th July 2017 at Whitlingham Country park in Norwich.

The NNUH team, known as the ‘Mole Catchers’, comprises Consultant Dermatologist Dr Jennifer Garioch, Plastic Surgeon Mr Marc Moncrieff and Skin Cancer Specialist Nurse Kate Davies who will each complete a different part of the course. Jennifer Garioch will be swimming in 1.5km of open water, Marc Moncrieff will be cycling 38km and Kate Davies will be running 10km.

Dermatology Nurses from NNUH will also be providing sun awareness advice and free sunscreen to visitors at the event.

Kate Davies, Skin Cancer Specialist Nurse says: “This is a great opportunity for us to give advice to athletes about how they should protect their skin. Many of the competitors will be in the sun for several hours without reapplying sun protection. This can lead to painful sunburn at the end of the event and sunburn is also one of the major risk factors for skin cancer.

“Rates of skin cancer are rising in Norfolk and we are taking this opportunity to raise money for the Skin Cancer Research Fund, part of the hospital charity.”

The Triathlon involves a swim in the open waters of Whitlingham Broad, followed by a cycle race through South Norfolk’s country roads, culminating in an off road run round the lake to the finish line.

The Skin Cancer Research Fund is dedicated to raising funds for the benefit of skin cancer patients at NNUH: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/nnuhskincancer

For more information about the event, go to: http://www.norwichtriathlon.co.uk/

NNUH Dermatologist Dr Jennifer Garioch who will be taking part in the triathlon