A father is lacing up his running shoes and taking part in the OX5 Run to thank Oxford Children’s Hospital for saving his daughter’s life nearly a decade ago.
Phil Rose, who lives in Abingdon, first got involved in the Blenheim Palace run in 2013, after he received the heart-breaking news that his two-year old was diagnosed with cancer after doctors found a stomach tumour. He has taken part every year since then.
Maizie, who is now 11, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma - a rare form of childhood cancer that affects just over 100 children a year in the UK.
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She underwent treatment on Kamran’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital where Mr Rose praised the ‘incredible’ care and compassion that the family received throughout the course of Maizie’s treatment.
He said: “Nearly a decade on, we still remember the first time we walked into the hospital and onto the ward, we felt like we were in safe hands and the care we received – and still continue to receive - is nothing but incredible.
"I’ve always said that as long as I am alive, I’ll get involved and support the hospital that saved my daughter’s life, and nearly a decade later I’m still sticking to that promise.”
Over the last nine years, Mr Rose has entered Team Maizie into the OX5 Run, which is organised by Oxford Hospitals charity.
Mr Rose’s team is made up of family and friends and have gone on to raise thousands to help local children in hospital.
This year Mr Rose is determined to raise even more for the hospital that saved his daughter, as Maizie will require further treatment and monitoring from the hospital in years to come.
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The five-mile fun run has helped fund many transformative projects across the hospital including support towards parental accommodation, state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and even a play specialist to help calm and distract children having important scans.
The OX5 Run, which is sponsored by Oxfordshire recruitment agency Allen Associates, has taken place every year since 2002, raising more than £1m to provide extra support for local children in hospital.
This year’s event takes place on Sunday, March 20 and is back at Blenheim Palace after two years of virtual events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Entrants of all abilities are encouraged to enter and raise £200 in sponsorship.
Joe Baker, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re delighted that Phil is back with Team Maizie for the ninth year and hope his incredible support will inspire others to sign up.
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"The OX5 Run is an event that has the community placed at the centre of its heart, and we’d like to encourage anyone who has had contact with our hospitals to get involved.”
Visit hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run.
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