Three Lions striker is supporting Royal Marsden to raise £100m for cancer treatment

England striker Jermain Defoe has given his backing to The Royal Marsden’s ten10 campaign.

Defoe is lending his support to the initiative, which hopes to see Europe’s largest comprehensive cancer centre raise £100million over the next ten years to continue its groundbreaking treatment and prevention work.

Since 2003, the hospital has generated over £100m to fund crucial, innovative developments in cancer research, diagnosis, treatment and care.

And 30-year-old Defoe, whose father died from throat cancer at The Royal Marsden last year, hailed the fantastic work of the hospital

"When I was at The Royal Marsden every day with my dad, I saw all the hard work the doctors and nurses put in," said the Tottenham Hotspur man. 

“They were all fantastic and I just wanted to show my appreciation. It’s so important to support this new fundraising campaign – you never know, one minute you’re here, the next minute you could be ill.

“It’s just so important that we raise the money so the hospital can continue to put in the hard work and continue to save people’s lives.”

The charity also funds new, state-of the-art buildings and equipment. In 2011, The FA and The Royal Marsden President HRH The Duke of Cambridge opened the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, one of the largest comprehensive centres of its kind in Europe.

It looks after almost 600 inpatients and more than 5,000 day patients every year. Based in The Royal Marsden’s Sutton hospital, it includes a unit tailored to the needs of teenagers and young people, funded in partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Last week, Teenage Cancer Trust was unveiled as The FA’s official charity partner during the launch of the organisation’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at The Royal Marsden means that the care the young patients receive is both comprehensive and tailored to their specific needs.

And HRH The Duke of Cambridge has given his full backing to the ten10 campaign by starring in a specially made film.

In the film Prince William says: “I am extremely proud to be President of The Royal Marsden, an incredible hospital and a world-class cancer centre carrying out ground-breaking work influencing the treatment of cancer patients all over the UK

“In 2013 The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is celebrating a decade of innovation, looking back at 10 years of pioneering developments they have funded, and looking forward to the next 10 years of innovation and personalised treatment. The charity needs to raise £100m if they are to make this a reality.

“This year please help The Royal Marsden to continue their amazing work as a centre of innovation and help make a difference for people with cancer everywhere.”

To watch the film please visit: https://www.royalmarsden.org/ten10/prince-william.