Emma Symonds, a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London, has announced she will tackle the Cretan Resistance Trek in September 2027 to raise £5,000 for Prostate Cancer Research. The five-day sea-to-summit journey covers the mountains and coastal clifftops of Crete, following the routes of World War II resistance fighters.
From the Laboratory to the Mountains of Crete
Symonds spends her daily professional life analyzing patient samples in a lab to better understand prostate cancer and discover improved diagnostic and treatment methods. She will complete the expedition alongside patients who have experienced the disease firsthand, their families, fellow scientists, and the team at Prostate Cancer Research. Meeting participating patients recently gave her a firsthand look at the human lives behind her daily research questions. The upcoming trek provides an opportunity to step away from the benchwork and raise funds while connecting directly with the people who give her scientific work its ultimate purpose.
Honoring the Late Peter Larsen
The physical challenge has gained deeper personal significance following the death of academic mentor Peter Larsen, who shaped Symonds’s development as a researcher. Kirsty Danielson, head of the surgery and critical care department and associate dean of research at the University of Otago, shared Symonds’s fundraising announcement online. Danielson highlighted Symonds as a prime example of the talented young professionals whom Larsen invested time in developing throughout his career. Donations for the £5,000 target are not restricted to the United Kingdom, allowing supporters in New Zealand and across the globe to contribute through international donations and planned local fundraising events.
Three Decades of Advances in Prostate Cancer Research
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has highlighted three decades of progress in prostate cancer research.
Emma Symonds sets fundraising target for Cretan trek
When will the Cretan Resistance Trek take place?
The five-day trek is scheduled for September 2027, crossing the mountains and coastal clifftops of Crete.
How much money is Emma Symonds aiming to raise?
The postdoctoral researcher has set a fundraising target of £5,000 for Prostate Cancer Research.
Can international supporters donate to the campaign?
Yes, donations are not limited to the United Kingdom, and supporters from New Zealand and other countries can contribute online or through local fundraising events.
What is the purpose of the funds raised?
The money will support innovative prostate cancer research aimed at turning lab discoveries into life-changing patient advances.
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