Fundraising sisters set to take on world's major marathons

Fundraising sisters set to take on world's major marathons

28 September 2023

Hebah, Hana and Dina Bibi have pledged to complete the epic running challenge in memory of their sister, Noor, who passed away in September 2022 after being diagnosed with a type of ovarian cancer called a Germ Cell Tumour.

Noor was treated at Imperial College Healthcare for three years and received outstanding care and support at Charing Cross, Hammersmith and St Mary's hospitals.

During this time she dreamt of running all six of the world's major marathons - Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo.

Noor had already completed London and New York, and had her place confirmed for Chicago on 8 October, which Hebah and Hana have now pledged to finish for her. The sisters are also determined to tackle the remaining marathons in Berlin, Boston and Tokyo in Noor's memory.
 

"Her dream is our dream, and in her memory we start running. We hope to make sure that special care always remains available for more families like ours."

Hebah, Hana and Dina Bibi

"Noor made the countless days of treatment, surgeries and nights in hospital seem so simple," the sisters said. "We cried together, laughed together and lived our best lives together - despite everything. But that is Noor, the true definition of strength."

The family said the care Noor received at Imperial was second to none and that the hospitals had become a home away from home for them.

"Her dream is our dream, and in her memory we start running," Hebah, Hana and Dina added. "We hope to make sure that special care always remains available for more families like ours."

Driving forward vital research to help more patients like Noor

We'll make sure the funds Hebah, Hana and Dina raise go towards pioneering ovarian cancer research at Imperial, helping to improve treatments for many more patients like Noor who are affected by this life-threatening cancer.

The research is being led by Professor Christina Fotopoulou, one of the country's leading experts in ovarian cancer, and her team at Imperial.

The sisters' extraordinary fundraising efforts will enable us to continue supporting Prof Fotopoulou's ground-breaking research by funding highly-skilled staff and essential laboratory equipment through our Ovarian Care Fund.

This vital work will help us learn more about the way ovarian cancer becomes resistant to certain treatments so we can develop better ways of fighting it in the future.

A portion of the funds will also go to support the fantastic team at Charing Cross Hospital's 6 South ward, who cared for Noor during her treatment at Imperial.

Feeling inspired? You can support Hebah, Hana and Dina in their marathon mission by making a donation to their fundraising page here. If you'd like to raise funds to support our work, check out our latest fundraising events here.